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

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years 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. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular 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 slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round 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 make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player 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 come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.