NBA PM: Players Poised to Return from Injury

With the Olympic games officially in the rear-view mirror, things will largely slow down (at least in regards to the NBA). Players will continue their offseason training and then head back to their respective NBA teams toward the latter half of September.

By now, players have had the better part of the offseason to take some time off and recharge their bodies. All of the little nicks and bruises suffered last season have likely healed and most guys are closer to 100 percent.

As we look ahead to next season, several players will be returning from injuries that sidelined them for a significant amount of time. Here’s a look at several players who are poised to return to full strength next season:

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Hornets:

Last season was one that Kidd-Gilchrist would like to forget. The Hornets forward was rewarded with a four-year, $52 million contract extension in August, but then played in just seven games all season after suffering two torn labrums in the same shoulder.

Kidd-Gilchrist has made a name for himself as one of the better perimeter defenders in the league and was greatly missed last season. He joked at a youth basketball camp in Kentucky last month that he’s currently “200 percent” healthy and ready to go for next season.

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers:

While rehabbing from a groin injury, Griffin broke his hand by punching an equipment manager and was suspended for four games. He was cleared to play from the groin injury by April and returned from suspension on April 3 against Washington.

Griffin lasted just nine games between the regular season and playoffs before aggravating that same left quadricep injury. He’ll be looking to return next season as the same dominant player that we’ve seen in the past and will be determined to put last season’s problems behind him. Griffin can become an unrestricted free agent next summer so this upcoming season is big for him.

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies:

Gasol was one of the many Grizzlies players who suffered an injury last season. The team was decimated by injuries and forced to rely on several inexperienced players down the stretch. Gasol broke his right foot in February and missed the remainder of the season. News regarding his progress has been scarce recently, as the last update at the end of June stated that Gasol still hadn’t received medical clearance to return to basketball activities.

He was held out of the Olympics in order to ensure he’ll be back to 100 percent next season. The team has said they don’t want to rush him back as foot injuries for big men can prove to be very serious if not handled correctly. Rehab updates should surface in the coming weeks as Memphis gets ready for training camp. Once Gasol does return to full strength, the Grizzlies will welcome him back with open arms since he’s still a big part of their team.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers:

News of Embiid’s recovery from a second surgery on his foot has been very encouraging over the past few weeks. Sixers head coach Brett Brown said recently on a podcast with Zach Lowe that “everything is pointing in the right direction” regarding Embiid’s progress. Brown added that Embiid is on track to play in the preseason.

Embiid’s addition to the 76ers this season should be a great sign for the future of the franchise. With Embiid seeming likely to be in the picture at some point this season, he joins Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Sergio Rodriguez among others as 76ers set to play their first game with the team. Video of Embiid training has surfaced in recent weeks and it should definitely have Sixers fans excited.

Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns:

Bledsoe suffered a knee injury back in December and missed the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. Bledsoe is said to be progressing well and on track for the beginning of the Suns’ season. He had been playing the best basketball of his career prior to the injury, averaging a career-high 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, four rebounds and two steals per game.

The Suns appear to be a team on the rise with the addition of several young players and some veterans through free agency. The team has spent much of the summer together between a San Diego mini-camp in June, the Las Vegas Summer League in July and a charity basketball game a few weeks ago.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans:

News surfaced last season that Davis had been playing through a shoulder and knee injury. He underwent knee surgery in March and it was determined that he didn’t need surgery to repair his torn labrum. Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said on The Jim Rome Show last month that Davis will be 100 percent when training camp starts.

Like the Grizzlies, the Pelicans were another team that suffered many different injuries throughout last season. In addition to Davis, key players like Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and Quincy Pondexter among others also suffered injuries as well. The Pelicans will be counting on Davis to lead the team next season as he has in the past. When healthy, he’s proven to be among the best players in the league.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers:

The Clippers received a huge blow during the playoffs when Griffin aggravated his quad injury and Paul suffered a broken hand. Both players would miss the remainder of the playoffs and the Clippers were eliminated in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said in June that his right hand is fully recovered and he’ll be good to go by the start of the season.

John Wall, Washington Wizards:

Wall underwent surgery on both of his knees during the offseason and told reporters over the weekend that he is right where he needs to be in his rehab, but didn’t promise that he’d be ready by the start of the regular season. Wall said that he can run and jump and is doing two-a-day workouts, but hasn’t been cleared for one-on-one drills.

Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers:

Leonard battled a shoulder injury during the second half of last season and underwent surgery in April to repair it. Leonard is hopeful he’ll be ready to go by the start of the regular season, but said that he could be limited during training camp until he’s fully ready to go. Leonard turned in his best season last year, averaging a career-high 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

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Injuries are part of the game, but these players will be looking to put their ailments behind them and return to full strength. All of these individuals play a huge role for their respective team and will be greatly missed until they are able to return to the lineup.