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The National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the first time 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 guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, 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

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have 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 signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured 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 experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.