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This year's NBA season begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office 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 beginning of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

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