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The National Basketball Association season tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians 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

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons 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 pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.