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This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta 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 perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve 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 likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

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 won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, 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 back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago 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 playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.