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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. 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 full takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.