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This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms 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 young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills 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 his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem 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 much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.