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This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

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

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.