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The National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.