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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal 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 primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing 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 improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

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

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.