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The NBA season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant 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 team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.