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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

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

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season 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 continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.