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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, 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 lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. 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. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel 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 mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. 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.