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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

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

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.