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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent 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 step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make 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 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 claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.