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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising 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 US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded 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 Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality 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 on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance 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 youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.