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The NBA season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ 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 sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men 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 lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile 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 a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.