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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including 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 Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option 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 season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. 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 Fighting for Roles

Additionally, 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 focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.