5 NBA Careers That Need a Resurrection (Vol. 1)

The NBA produces plenty of success stories—but for every rising talent, there are players whose careers stall on the brink of no return. These are the guys fans once had sky-high expectations for, only to see them fade into the background—whether because of nagging injuries, failure to adjust to the league’s demands, or simply not living up to their draft pedigree.

Some have already been written off as busts, others as role players destined to fade into irrelevance. But in basketball, all it takes is one healthy season, one new system, or one second chance to flip the narrative. The question is: is there still untapped potential waiting to be unlocked, or is it truly a wrap? In this new Sportz Nation series, we're going to an insiders look at careers that desperately need a resurrection—and the storylines that will determine if they get one.

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1. Killian Hayes (G)

When the Pistons selected Killian Hayes seventh overall in 2020, the French guard was billed as a crafty playmaker with extra size, vision, and untapped scoring potential. Detroit, fresh off a 20-win season, handed him the keys as their point guard for the forseeable future. But his rookie year was derailed almost immediately by a hip injury that limited him to just 26 games, and the Pistons once again finished with only 20 wins.

Hayes returned in 2021–22 as more of a combo guard, logging 66 games and 25 minutes per night. Yet the production never matched the opportunity—just 6 points per game on 37% shooting. When Cade Cunningham went down the following year, Hayes had his chance to run the offense full-time, posting career highs of 10 points and 6 assists across 76 games. But the inefficiency never went away, with poor shot selection, shaky ball control, and costly turnovers defining his play.

Traded to Brooklyn in 2024, Hayes barely cracked the rotation before being released after six games. Now, at 24, he’s grinding in the G-League while much of the fanbase that once embraced him has already labeled him a bust. The question is simple: is there another NBA chapter in his story, or has the league already turned the page?

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2. James Wiseman

James Wiseman’s basketball journey started with sky-high expectations. At East High School in Memphis, the seven-footer was a highlight reel, averaging 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks a game while collecting Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball award and McDonald’s All-American honors. Committing to the hometown Memphis Tigers under former NBA star Penny Hardaway, he seemed destined for stardom—until the NCAA ruled him ineligible after accepting assistance from Hardaway. Wiseman suited up for only three college games, but his raw talent was enough to keep him firmly in the top three of the 2020 draft, where Golden State selected him second overall.

Since then, his NBA career has been plagued by setbacks. A torn meniscus cut his rookie season short, and he missed the entire following year in rehab. After brief spurs of health with the Warriors, he was dealt to Detroit, where he posted a career-best 12 points and 8 rebounds per game over 24 games. In 2024, he signed with Indiana, only to suffer another season-ending injury in the opener. At 24, Wiseman has shown glimpses of the talent that once made him an unstoppable prospect, but injuries have defined his story far more than production. The question remains—can he flip the narrative before it’s too late?

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3. Cam Reddish

When Cam Reddish entered the 2019 draft, the hype was real. A former McDonald’s All-American and one-and-done standout at Duke, Reddish was hailed by peers at the combine as the toughest player to guard in his class. At 6’7” with length, fluid ball-handling, and defensive versatility, he had the blueprint of the modern NBA wing: switchable on defense, capable of creating his own shot, and comfortable scoring from anywhere on the floor. Drafted 10th overall by Atlanta, joining fellow Duke stars Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett in the top ten, Reddish was projected as a two-way difference maker.

But inconsistency has defined his NBA career. Despite flashes of offensive elitism, poor shot selection and shaky efficiency (just 39% from the field across his career) have kept him from sticking on an NBA roster as a reliable scorer. After stints with Atlanta, New York, and Portland, he landed in Los Angeles, where he logged regular minutes and was part of the Lakers’ 2023 NBA Cup run—but produced just 4 points per game.

This summer, Reddish signed overseas with BC Šiauliai in Lithuania, now forced to fight his way back into the league. The tools are still there, but the NBA has moved on quickly. His next chapter will decide whether he’s a comeback story or a cautionary tale of untapped potential.

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4. Marvin Bagley III

Few high school players have ever entered the spotlight with more hype than Marvin Bagley III. A standout at Sierra Canyon and the consensus No. 1 recruit in the class of 2017, Bagley dominated at Duke in his lone season, drawing comparisons to Chris Bosh and LaMarcus Aldridge. Drafted second overall in 2018—one spot ahead of Luka Doncic—the expectation was clear: future franchise player.

Early on, Bagley looked the part. He averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds as a rookie, and continued to show flashes of being a versatile, high-energy scorer in Sacramento. But injuries and inconsistency stalled his rise, and in 2022 he was part of a four-team deal that sent him to Detroit. There, he carved out a role as a solid bench forward, later splitting time between Detroit and Washington while averaging 12 points on 59% shooting. Yet minutes quickly dried up—he logged just 8 per game with the Wizards before being dealt to Memphis.

Now back with Washington, Bagley is only 26 and still has the tools to contribute. When given real opportunity, his production speaks for itself. But for a player drafted ahead of an MVP candidate and tangible Hall of Famer, his career feels more like a cautionary tale than a fulfilled prophecy.

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5. Nah'Shon "Bones" Hyland

When Bones Hyland entered the league, he made an immediate splash as a fearless scorer. The VCU standout quickly earned attention for his deep range, flashy ball-handling, and one of the league’s best nicknames. As a rookie with Denver, he averaged 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists—enough to land on the All-Rookie Second Team. By year two, Hyland had cemented himself as Denver’s microwave scorer off the bench, boosting his production to 12 points per game. But the momentum didn’t last.

In February 2023, Hyland was dealt to the Clippers in a four-team trade, and while he initially provided steady scoring off of the bench, the arrival of James Harden the following season pushed him out of the rotation. His numbers plummeted—just 7 points per game on 38% shooting in 37 appearances. A subsequent move to Minnesota buried him even further, where he logged only 4 minutes per game and averaged a single point.

Hyland’s ability to create offense is still there when given touches, even if the efficiency isn’t ideal. But is a team willing to give him the runway to rediscover his rhythm? Or if his NBA story is already winding down?

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At the end of the day, these five names represent the thin line between promise and disappointment in the NBA. Some are clinging to roster spots, others are already overseas, on the outside looking in. The odds are stacked against them, but basketball has a way of surprising us—one hot stretch, one change of scenery, one new role, and everything can shift overnight. The real question is whether or not they have enough time and opportunity to flip the script and write a comeback story. Is it possible, or are they destined to fade to black? I’ve made my case, but now it’s your turn—drop us thoughts in the comments. Which of these players do you believe still has something left in the tank, and which ones are out for good?

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Stay tuned to Sportz Nation for more hoops coverage as tip-off creeps even closer! 🚨

Thanks for reading!

Joel Piton

@jpiton7