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This year's NBA campaign begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops 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 essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, 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 discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players 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 with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.