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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable 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 season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option 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 year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper 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 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.