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The NBA season begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. 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 invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram 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.