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This year's NBA season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair 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 top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable 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 season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure 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 – more than one whole steal per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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 Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.