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This year's NBA campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's 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 step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office 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, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.