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The National Basketball Association season begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball 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 recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city 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 – over one full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

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, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.