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The NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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

But they are not alone. 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 rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important 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 year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.