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This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres 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 lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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 find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date 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 Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

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 Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.