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The NBA season tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed 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 set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led 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 on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position 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 see consistent action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes 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 shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.