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This year's NBA season tips off now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality 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 logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.