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The NBA season starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic 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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss 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 play consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

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 development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.