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This year's National Basketball Association season begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest 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 essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, 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

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need 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 identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured 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 development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.