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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball names – 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 contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder 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 scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

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

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, 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 next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed 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 aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.