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The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, 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.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men 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 negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the tally 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 advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led 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 a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in 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 developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.