Due to the impact of the epidemic this year, many veterans who have faded out of the fan's vision have returned, which has also made people realize that they have not officially retired. And there are many players like them who "can't say goodbye" but disappeared in the NBA. Maybe they'll still be back, maybe they'll never come back.
These returning veterans are represented by Thomas Jr., Cousins, Joe Johnson and Lance Stephenson, as well as Monroe, Darren Collison and Brandon Knight. Their situations are varied, ranging from those who have performed well and are treated as stars, to those like Thomas Jr., Johnson and Cousins, who still have to continue to wander.
But in any case, such an opportunity is still rare for them. Just as Brandon Knight burst into tears when he learned that the Lone Ranger would sign him, they had waited too long for this moment.
In addition to them, there are some veterans who have never actually said goodbye, but they are now in the same state as retiring. From time to time, they also flash on the NBA team's trial roster, or are active in social media, or occasionally mentioned when the team has a staff shortage, but tacitly, their chances of reappearing on the NBA stage are slim. And what we have to do is give them a final glimpse.
1. Michael Beasley
Beasley's last appearance in the NBA was when he signed to the Lakers in the 2018 offseason. In February 2019, Beasley and Zubac were sent by the Lakers to the Clippers in the same city together, and then cut. In July 2020, the Nets signed Beasley to prepare for a rematch, but were forced to cancel the contract because the latter tested positive for the new crown. During this period, Beasley won the 2019 CBA championship.
Beasley represented the Trail Blazers in the Summer League last year. In October 2021, Beasley signed for the Puerto Rico League.
2. Jamal Crawford
Gram Six is also a "living fossil" in the NBA today. In July 2020, the Nets signed Crawford to prepare for the resumption, but he only played 6 minutes in the 3rd game of the rematch against the Bucks, and the Nets were swept by the Raptors in the first round. Subsequently, Ke Liu returned to his home.
Although he will turn 42 by the end of March this year, Crawford is "old-hearted". Recently, the "Legion Hoops" update social media asked: "Which former NBA player do you most want to see return to the league?" Crawford replied, "Me! However, although the mood is high, Crawford still prepares early. He now runs a podcast with former NBA player Quentin Richardson, often with NBA stars.
3. Monta Ellis
Fans familiar with Curry will not forget the "big brother" Ellis of that year. After leaving the Bucks, Ellis tossed the Bucks and the Lone Rangers before finally coming to the Pacers.
In the 2015 offseason, Ellis signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Pacers. But he suffered a twist on fate, straining his groin at the end of 2016 and having to give up the start to Glenn Robinson III. In July of the following year, Ellis was swept out of the way by the Pacers, although until this season Ellis still paid the Pacers.
4. Kenneth Faried
"Half-orc" Faried began his career with the Nuggets. His last appearance in the NBA was when he played for the Rockets in 2018-19 and played in the playoffs with the team before falling at the feet of the Warriors in the second round of the West End.
Then Faried said goodbye to the NBA. In November 2019, Faried signed for CBA Zhejiang. In early August 2021, Faried represented the Trail Blazers in the Summer League. In October of the same year, he signed for the Puerto Rican League and a few days later for CSKA Moscow in the Russian League. After the breakup at the end of the year, he immediately signed to the Nuggets' development league team.
5. Jeremy Lin
Jeremy Lin last appeared in the NBA in the 2019 Finals G3, where he played only 51 seconds. When he lifted the championship trophy with the Raptors, Jeremy Lin also said goodbye to the NBA that he had created "Lin Crazy".
At the end of August 2019, Jeremy Lin signed for the CBA Beijing team. In 2021, Jeremy Lin moved the idea of returning to the NBA, so he came to the Warriors' development league team, played in 9 games here, averaged 19.8 points and 6.4 assists per game, shooting 50.5% from the field and 42.6% from three-point range. In June of the same year, Jeremy Lin returned to the CBA.
6. Larry Sanders
Sanders fully explains what it means to "die without dying.". In the 2013 offseason, Sanders, who was on the rise in his career, signed a four-year, 44 million contract with the Bucks. Subsequently, Sanders was banned consecutively for violating the prohibition rules. It was during this period that Sanders and the NBA went further and further. On February 25, 2015, Sanders sent a video farewell to the NBA and plunged into the ocean of literature and art.
But at the end of January 2017, Sanders announced his return to basketball. He signed to the Cavaliers in mid-March and was sent to the Development League. In the end, Sanders only played five games for the Cavaliers, playing a total of 13 minutes, with 4 points and 4 rebounds on 1 of 4. A month after signing, the Cavaliers cut Sanders. In 2019, Sanders appeared in the BIG3 League.
7. JR-Smith
Speaking about Munch, who has performed well recently, former NBA player Perkins said Munch may have the same career path as JR Smith. And this undoubtedly made Smith come alive in the minds of fans again.
Smith last made his NBA appearance in July 2020 on a contract with the Lakers as a replacement for Bradley. He played in 6 regular season games for the Lakers, and also played in the playoffs with the team, and won the second championship of his career. His first career title was also won with James, but it was 4 years ago for the Cavaliers. Recently, Smith entered the university campus and went into golf, but at the end of last year, Smith still called James: "Give me a short 10-day contract, my phone number has not changed." ”
8. Dion Wittes
Witez was a literal thorn in the heat and was cut after being sent to the Grizzlies. In March 2020, Wittes signed with the Lakers and played in seven regular season games before winning his first career championship with the team. After that, Wittes seemed to evaporate in the world, but at the end of 2020, the social media said that he had recently begun to consider retiring.
9. Delong Williams
Recently, Delong reappeared in the field of vision of fans, but it has nothing to do with basketball, he participated in an internet celebrity boxing match and won the first victory of his boxing career. But when Delon expressed his envy for the "enemy of a lifetime" Paul can still be active in the NBA, he still yearns for the NBA in his heart.
After leaving the Nets in July 2015, Delong signed for the Lone Ranger, was cut a year later, and in February 2017 he signed with the Cavaliers and played with the team in the 2017 Finals, but passed by the championship. Today's Delong is as the widely circulated saying goes: "Delong didn't retire, but no one wanted it." ”
10. Nick Young
In addition to being praised by Perkins as a knife-carrying bodyguard like JR-Smith, Munch has also recently introduced Yang Shaoxia, saying that his right arm without tattoos is to emulate his predecessors, which is undoubtedly reminiscent of Yang Shaoxia.
After leaving the Lakers in 2017, Yang signed with the Warriors, participated in the finals with the team, and was lucky to win the first championship. On December 10, 2018, Yang signed with the Nuggets and was cut after only 4 games. In October 2019, Yang said that if no team wants him in the new season, he will retire, but to this day he has not officially announced. (Supine Braces/Hairy)