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The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure 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 minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, 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 three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped 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 Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.