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This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, including 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

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim 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 slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely 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 keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.