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

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

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, 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

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

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

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate 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 Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

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