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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, 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 protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, 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 steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led 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.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five 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 see consistent action if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used 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 player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then 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 nurtured by the Wolves 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.