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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow 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 win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.