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This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men 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 ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure 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 takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start 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 Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies 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 alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

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 shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.