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Injuries are a part of life in the NBA. An argument could readily be made that an injury to key players is the single most important factor that can diminish or totally wreck a team’s title hopes. The past few years have been solid proof that the history of the league could have been so much different had injuries not been a factor.
Last season, injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden ruined what could have been a banner-raising affair at the Barclays Center. The fact that Kevin Durant almost willed a decimated Brooklyn Nets roster past the Milwaukee Bucks is proof of how injuries can dramatically change a franchise’s championship odds.
In 2019, the Golden Warriors were deprived of Klay Thompson and Durant’s skills and talents. If not for those series-altering mishaps, the Toronto Raptors could still be looking at ways to capture that elusive crown with or without Kawhi Leonard.
Injured players who could make a significant contribution to their respective team’s performance in the 2021-22 NBA season
#5 Dario Saric
The Phoenix Suns’ versatile big was a sorry loss for the team in last year’s NBA Finals. Coming into the 2021-22 season, he would have been a solid rotation player to either give Deandre Ayton a breather or start with him as a power forward. Dario Saric could also come in to relieve Jae Crowder.
In the limited minutes, Saric had the best net rating of 12.1 on the Suns’ roster, although it would be impossible to maintain that number with more usage. Having said that, he remains a skilled big with a high IQ who could be a great help to the Phoenix Suns this coming season.
The Suns are taking a careful approach with Saric, which could see him sit out the entire season.
#4 Victor Oladipo
Victor Oladipo re-injured his right quad tendon after barely starting his season with the Miami Heat. It’s the same injury he suffered while playing his last season for the Indiana Pacers.
The Heat are not putting a definite timetable on his return despite positive reports of a quick recovery.
Before the said injury, he won All-NBA honors and was part of the NBA’s All-Defensive team after leading the league in steals in the 2017-18 season. If that’s the basis of the expectations coming from the former 2x All-Star, then the Miami Heat are missing a key contributor to a potentially legit title hopeful.
#3 Markelle Fultz
To say that Markelle Fultz’s career in the NBA is a roller-coaster ride is an understatement. Although he hasn’t fulfilled the lofty expectations put on his young shoulders, Fultz was already starting to put together the game that made him the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017.
More than just the decent numbers, Markelle Fultz could have been a sounding board for Jalen Suggs, the Magic’s lottery pick of this year’s draft. Someone who has had Fultz’s unique NBA experience would have been a great asset on the rookie’s corner.
The Orlando Magic are not making the playoffs this year, but they could have been more competitive with their starting point guard lacing up for them this season. There’s a chance Fultz could be sidelined for the rest of the year as the Magic have no hope of playing in the postseason.
#2 Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray was expected to truly breakout last season before he tore his ACL in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Without the Denver Nuggets’ starting point guard, the team lost via sweep against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA playoffs.
Despite MVP Nikola Jokic’s best efforts, the Nuggets clearly missed Murray’s shooting, rim attacks and passing. The series would have been a lot closer had Murray been around.
The Western Conference’s elite list of point guards will only highlight what the Denver Nuggets are lacking. March 2 is a tentative schedule regarding Murray’s return. If the Nuggets want to err with caution, Murray could see the court next year.
#1 Kawhi Leonard
No other player on this list changes the fortunes of a team like Kawhi Leonard does when healthy. A fully fit Kawhi makes the LA Clippers one of the favorites to grab the NBA championship.
Leonard is a devastating two-way force that is right there with Giannis Antetokounmpo. He forms a two-headed monster with Paul George on this Clippers’ team.
After having surgery on a partially torn ACL that takes around 6-9 months to recover from, the Clippers could opt to sit their All-NBA star and roll with the current lineup.
Kawhi Leonard’s long list of past injuries could potentially sway them to be very conservative with his return. The league will miss Leonard’s exceptional talents if he misses the 2021-22 NBA season.
Guess the Lakers players!
