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The NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in 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 too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie 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 aiming to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.