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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

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

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies 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 aiming to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip 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 using with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.