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This year's NBA season tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years 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 primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five 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 young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie 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 Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.