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The NBA season starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA 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 second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer 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 colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, 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 Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.