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This year's NBA campaign starts now, marking the first time 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 backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure 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 – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

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

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.