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This year's NBA campaign tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular 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 mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss 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 play regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, 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 Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.