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The National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade 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’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men 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

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

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

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite 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 long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

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

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.