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This year's NBA season starts this week, marking the first time in a decade 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 guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes 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 protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time 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 training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.