Injuries are a part of sports and always will be. As devastating as they can be, both from a sports aspect and on a more humane level, teams are required to work through the loss of some of their players. Most injuries heal in a week or two, but sometimes, things are more severe. Achilles can rupture, ACLs can tear, and teams are left without some of their best players.
Basketball players are fortunate. Most injuries bench them for no more than a handful of games at a time. Again, however, things can take a more serious turn. Some of the most grotesque incidents in all of sports have occurred in the basketball – Kevin Ware and Gordon Hayward come to mind. This season has just started, and there are a handful of players sidelined for the entire season. Of the five NBA players sidelined with a season-long injury, who will be missed the most team?
Eligible NBA players for this list are expected to return from their “season-long” injury on or after April 1, 2020
5. Darius Miller, New Orleans Pelicans
Injury: Ruptured right Achilles Earliest return: April 1
Darius Miller is a player you can easily forget is in the league. However, that’s not to underplay his importance to the team. His sharpshooting would’ve been a big addition off the bench, especially with an offense that will likely revolve around Zion Willamson in the paint. Miller signed for $14.3 million over two years this past offseason. His earliest projected return isn’t until the start of playoffs. Should the Pelicans sneak in as the eighth seed, he could be an asset… assuming he comes back 100% and hasn’t been replaced.
4. DeMarcus Cousins, Los Angeles Lakers
Injury: Torn left Achilles Earliest return: May 15
Either DeMarcus Cousins is extremely unlucky, or he has a personal vendetta against his left leg. Since 2018, he’s ruptured his Achilles, fractured his left knee, and tore that same Achilles. Signing him is like buying a really cheap, old car that’s been someone’s commute ride for the past 20 years. If it works, that’s amazing, and you’re in a wicked place. If it doesn’t work, it’s a big bummer, but it cost you little-to-nothing. That’s the investment the Lakers made by spending just $3.5 million on an uninjured Cousins this offseason. LA is already in a phenomenal place, roster wise, and they’re set with Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard at center. While he’ll be a great addition, the loss of Cousins is no chip against the Lakers.
3. John Wall, Washington Wizards
Injury: Ruptured left Achilles Earliest retrun: May 1
The Wizards are Bradley Beal’s team now, but they’ll still severely miss their All-Star point guard. Their rotation at the one is painfully weak, with Isaiah Thomas and Ish Smith being the most likely to see valuable minutes. However, even if Thomas can magically revert back to his MVP-caliber self from the Boston days, what the Wizards will truly miss is the cap space Wall is eating up. This past offseason, the Wizards needed to add pieces around Beal to turn them into a strong playoff team in the East. But, nearly third of the salary cap is spent on an indefinitely injured John Wall. This resulted in the Wizards, who are already in a bad cap situation, settling for the likes of Phil Booth and Admiral Schofield this free agency.
2. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Injury: Torn left ACL Earliest return: 2020-21 season
Klay Thompson is one of three players who’s stuck with the Warriors since the start of their dynasty, and for good reason. He’s incredible at shooting and has one of the best work ethics in the league. For that, Golden State will miss him dearly. While Steph Curry and Kevin Durant did the most of the scoring last season, Thompson was an absolutely lethal third option… good enough to be the top dog on all but a few teams. He went down in last year’s Finals, and likely won’t play for another year. The Warriors replaced the missing scoring by trading for D’Angelo Russell in the offseason, but he can’t hold a light to the defensive assets Thompson brings. Not to mention, Klay just inked a massive new contract with Golden State, so his absence results in $32.7 million down the drain.
1. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Injury: Torn right Achilles Earliest return: May 1
Don’t fall for the illusion that Kyrie Irving will lead this team to what it can be. Kevin Durant is by far the Nets best player, and Kyrie is the number two. Of the players on this list, no one even comes close to KD’s pedigree and skillset. Kyrie will take the Nets to a five or six seed in the East, but with Durant, the Nets become a Finals contender. Without him, the next scoring option in Brooklyn is… DeAndre Jordan? Caris LeVert? No matter who it is, they just aren’t a threat without the former MVP.
How do you rank these NBA players listed with a season-long injury? How will the Nets fair without KD? Let me know on Instagram, @zekepersources. I’ve started my account from square one and will be far more active there than I have previously.