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The NBA campaign starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. 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, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office 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 season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

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

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

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre 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 a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent 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 off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

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 Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.