The NBA’s offseason has wound down, leaving fans and teams alike in a waiting game for training camp and preseason action. Yet, despite the flurry of activity earlier, several Ex-Lakers find their NBA dreams all but extinguished. As free agents linger and rosters take shape, these five Ex-Lakers face a harsh reality: their chances of making an NBA comeback are slim to none.
The 5 Ex-Lakers Facing NBA Comeback Challenges
Isaiah Thomas: The Vanishing Star
Isaiah Thomas’s quest to return to the NBA has been nothing short of relentless. Once a dynamo with the Boston Celtics, Thomas’s career was derailed by injuries, leaving him struggling to find a foothold. His brief stint with the Phoenix Suns last year was a last-ditch effort, but at 35, the undersized guard’s chances are dwindling. With his prime years behind him and a career plagued by setbacks, it might be time for Thomas to pivot—perhaps to the G League or international leagues. The NBA seems to have moved on.
DeMarcus Cousins: The Injured Enigma
Though DeMarcus Cousins never suited up for the Lakers, his presence on this list is warranted. Signed for the 2019-20 season, high hopes for a reunion with Anthony Davis quickly faded as Cousins tore his ACL. The Lakers cut ties with him midseason, but he later received a championship ring as LA clinched the title. Since then, Cousins has been bouncing around, now playing in Taiwan and the Philippines. His body has betrayed him, and the likelihood of a successful NBA return seems remote.
Dwight Howard: The Double-Edged Sword
Dwight Howard’s NBA career has been a rollercoaster, with the Lakers experiencing the full spectrum. From a disastrous 2012-13 season to a triumphant 2019-20 championship run, Howard’s saga with the Lakers has been anything but ordinary. However, his recent performances overseas and questionable locker-room presence make an NBA comeback a tough sell. At 38, even with the right skills, Howard’s off-court issues might outweigh his on-court contributions.
Damian Jones: The Perennial Project
Damian Jones has hopped from team to team, including two stints with the Lakers. Known for his potential but plagued by inconsistency, Jones struggled to make a significant impact in the NBA. Now, at 29, he’s playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in China. Though some players have managed to revive their NBA careers after time abroad, Jones’s prospects seem bleak. His early career successes with the Golden State Warriors are unlikely to save him from a fading NBA future.
Harry Giles: The Unfulfilled Promise
Harry Giles III, once a highly-touted prospect out of Duke, has seen his NBA star dim considerably. At just 25, Giles’s early promise hasn’t translated into a successful career. Despite high expectations as a top recruit and a strong start, Giles’s skills haven’t flourished as hoped. His recent stint with the Lakers was unremarkable, and now he finds himself without a guaranteed NBA contract. For Giles, it’s a sobering end to what once seemed like a bright future.
This list underscores a harsh reality in professional sports: talent alone isn’t always enough to ensure a successful career. Injuries, personal issues, and changes in team dynamics can derail even the most promising careers. As these former Lakers grapple with their fading NBA hopes, it’s clear that their journeys highlight both the unpredictability and the ruthlessness of professional sports. Their stories serve as cautionary tales and reminders of the thin line between stardom and obscurity in the world of basketball.
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