Best fits for three ex-NBA standouts who aim for comebacks

The NBA is an extremely competitive league featuring the most athletic, talented and highest-paid players in the world. No wonder players who flame out of the NBA — or have shorter careers than expected — are eager to get back into the Association if they still have some game. 

Here are three 10-plus-year NBA vets who want to jump back into the action and their potential landing spots.

Dion Waiters | Last NBA team: Los Angeles Lakers, 2019-20

Potential fits: Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors

Cleveland drafted Waiters with the fourth overall pick in 2012. He had a solid start to his career, averaging nearly 16 points in his second season. When his role diminished, he rejuvenated his career with the Miami Heat, who found an important role for him as a shot creator. 

Waiters lasted three-plus seasons in South Beach before the Heat dealt him to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Although he won a title with L.A. that season, he has not played in the NBA since.

Per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Waiters is attempting to make an NBA comeback. Waiters shared that he has struggled with depression but remains humble and confident that he still has game.

He is no longer a 30-minute-a-game guy, but Waiters could contribute in a limited role, providing scoring in spurts. 

Isaiah Thomas | Last NBA team: Charlotte Hornets, 2021-22

Potential fit: San Antonio Spurs

For nearly his entire career, the odds have been against Thomas, the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. For one, he's only 5-foot-9. Despite the challenges he faced, Thomas twice made the All-Star team, and in 2016-17, he averaged 28.9 points with the Celtics.

Thomas's size and inability to defend effectively has prevented him from having a consistent role in the NBA since the Celtics traded him in 2017. His last NBA season came in 2021-22, when he played for three teams (Dallas, Charlotte, Los Angeles Lakers).

Per former NBA player Jamal Crawford, Thomas is making another comeback attempt. Due to deficiencies on defense, he probably would not contribute to a championship contender. However, he could be a good addition to a team that needs a veteran influence.

Dwight Howard | Last NBA team: Los Angeles Lakers, 2021-22

Potential fit: Los Angeles Lakers

Howard, a probable Hall of Famer, is a former all-star and Defensive Player of the Year, but at 37, his best days are far behind him. He spent the past season playing in Taiwan, where he averaged 23.2 points and 16.2 rebounds.

Howard wants to return to the NBA, per the Sacramento Observer, and already has a few teams in mind, namely the Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Lakers.

It wouldn't make sense for the Kings to add the 6-foot-10 Howard to their stacked frontcourt. However, the Lakers are an intriguing option. As a role player, Howard helped Los Angeles win the championship in 2020. He could be an option the Lakers at center.  

ESPN's Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA player, called for the Lakers to bring back Howard. Even at his age, the 18-year NBA vet has more to give as a backup big for many teams.