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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play 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 rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old 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 improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe 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.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.