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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot 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 over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.