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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve 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 versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies 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 play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. 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 surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.