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The NBA campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the 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 NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason 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 Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.