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The NBA season tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete 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

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off 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 steals with three per game – more than one full steal 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 effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man 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 season 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 see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist 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 contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.