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The National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including 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 discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected 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 win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.