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This year's NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label 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 on the table.

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

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.