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The NBA campaign starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres 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 protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have 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

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening 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 see regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.