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This year's NBA season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

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

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have 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

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition chances 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 year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.