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The NBA season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate 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 league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics 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 playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

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

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back 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 affiliate 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 minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.