In addition to the big names sure to command plenty of interest in the 2020 Free Agent class, there are a few household names looking to re-emerge onto the scene after a few setbacks.
MORE: Who are the top free agents in 2020?
Regardless of whether or not the setback is minor or major, the success makes the comeback stories so much sweeter.
So while they might not be the most in-demand, here are five free agents on the comeback trail, in an order based on their time spent away from the NBA floor.
Joe Johnson
Age: 39
Last NBA appearance: May 28, 2018
It's been over two years since Iso Joe took the floor for an actual NBA game but he hasn't been away from the game as a whole.
After sitting out the 2018-19 NBA season, Johnson signed on to play in the BIG3 basketball league in 2019, where he would earn MVP honours and lead his team to a championship. Just a year ago, Johnson went through training camp with the Detroit Pistons before he was cut in favour of younger players.
Now, the 39-year-old Johnson looks to be in peak shape as he's taken to his official Twitter account to share offseason workout videos in which he appears ready to contribute to a team.
— Joe Johnson 4real (@TheJoeJohnson7) October 14, 2020
Seeing how it isn't an injury that has set him back, Johnson might be able to get a win in his bout with Father Time to get back to an NBA floor.
DeMarcus Cousins
Age: 30
Last NBA appearance: June 13, 2019
A recent string of bad luck with injuries resulted in Cousins sitting out the entirety of the 2019-20 season.
After suffering a torn Achilles in 2018, a ruptured quadriceps in April 2019 and a torn ACL in August 2019, Cousins has given his body over a year's worth of rest while rehabilitating during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season.
More recently, Cousins took to Twitter to share an update on his progress, and while the former All-Star hasn't played in over a year, plenty of his skills are still there.
Isaiah Thomas
Age: 31
Last NBA appearance: Feb. 3, 2020
While Thomas played in 40 games last season, he recently revealed that in May, he underwent a hip procedure that has corrected issues that he has been playing through since 2017.
Last season, Thomas averaged 12.2 points in 40 games (37 starts) despite playing through an inordinate amount of pain, which, in turn, limited his ability and range of motion. While his days as an MVP finalist are behind him, Thomas getting back healthy means he can be a legitimate contributor.
According to him, he's willing to accept any role, from starter, to sixth man to veteran locker room presence. He deserves a shot.
Jamal Crawford
Age: 40
Last NBA appearance: Aug. 4, 2020
The 40-year-old Crawford was unable to find an NBA home throughout the 2019-20 season until the Brooklyn Nets brought him in as a substitute player at the NBA restart.
Then, Father Time stepped in.
In a decision to gradually ramp up his participation with a goal of postseason contribution, Crawford missed the Nets' first two seeding games. Five minutes into his debut, he suffered a hamstring injury that would hold him out of the remainder of the seeding games and playoffs.
Still, he has maintained that he intends on returning to the floor in the 2020-21 season and a team is sure to give the three-time Sixth Man of the Year a shot.
Carmelo Anthony
Age: 36
Last NBA appearance: Aug. 29, 2020
OK, so this is more of a redemption arc than a comeback but really, what does Melo need to redeem himself of? He can hoop.
After spending over a calendar year out of the league, Anthony signed with Portland, where he averaged 15.4 points over 58 regular-season games as a full-time starter. He remained in the starting lineup during the postseason, averaging 15.2 points per game, including 27 points in Portland's Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
But that's not the end of his story.
As he continues his resurgence, Carmelo is back in the gym with Chris Brickley this offseason and looks ready to contribute again at a high level.
If you miss two in a row, you start over... U KNOW MELO AIN’T MISSIN 2 STRAIGHT 🐐
— Overtime (@overtime) October 16, 2020
(via @Cbrickley603, @Isaac_Green_) pic.twitter.com/ZlvF0xeJuV
Melo's got a lot left to give.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
