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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately 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 Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, 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 league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign 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 minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players 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 with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.