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The NBA season tips off now, signaling 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 indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top 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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension 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 his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

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

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on securing another league deal.

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