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This year's NBA season starts now, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops 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 emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the total 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 team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside 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 shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.