Trae Young to Darius Garland: 5 NBA Stars Who Could Silence Their Doubters With a Comeback Season

Every new NBA season brings its share of heartbreak. It also brings comebacks: players we loved watching, then missed, forgot about, or wrote off entirely. Here are five players whose returns are worth watching this year.

Ty Jerome

It took Jerome five years to find his footing in the NBA, but in his sixth season he took the league by storm. He finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting and played a key role in Cleveland earning the top seed in the East. That earned him a three-year, $27.7 million deal with Memphis, but his first season there was a washout.

A high-grade calf strain in the preseason kept him out until late January, and an ankle sprain ended his year early. He played just 15 games for a Grizzlies team that won 25.

His comeback, however, has been loud. Now starting at point guard because the Grizzlies traded Ja Morant, Jerome opened the season with a career-high 45 points against the Utah Jazz. He followed that up with a 28-point performance against Golden State.

With the Grizzlies searching for their identity, Jerome has the perfect opportunity to remind everyone who he is. 

Domantas Sabonis

Domas was once considered one of the top centers in the league. He’s a two-time All-NBA selection who led the league in rebounding three straight seasons, from 2023 to 2025, as one of the most efficient offensive hubs in the game.

His production has since been overlooked, especially after he played in just 19 games last season. But it looks like he’s back to his old self to start this season. He opened with 14 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists against the Clippers, the most rebounds by a Kings player in a season opener, then posted a 27-point, 19-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against Portland.

The Kings are 0-4 right now, and if they wish to find some form, they'll need Sabonis to keep producing at this level.

Christian Braun

The Nuggets were mocked by many for the five-year, $125 million extension they gave Braun. But much of that criticism comes from how last season went. The guard out of Kansas was a vital three-and-D rotational piece during Denver’s 2023 championship run. His cutting ability paired with his athleticism also made him a perfect complement to Nikola Jokic.

That was until a left ankle sprain derailed his 2025-26 season. He missed 38 games, played through the injury upon returning, and his three-point percentage dropped to 30%. Now, he is healthy and looking to get back to a high level.

While just a few games into the season, his work in transition and willingness to do the dirty work are already making an impact.

Darius Garland

Just a few years ago, Darius Garland was the lead guard on a young Cavaliers team on the rise. In 2021-22, he made his first All-Star team, averaging 21.7 points and 8.6 assists. Cleveland traded for Donovan Mitchell that summer, and the two guards led the Cavs back to the playoffs and, eventually, to 64 wins and the East’s best record in 2024-25.

Following that season, though, Garland seemed to fall out of rhythm with the rest of the team. A toe injury troubled him and kept him in and out of the lineup. Then, earlier this year, he was traded to the Clippers for James Harden.

With Kawhi Leonard gone, the offense is Garland's to run, and he has the opportunity to rediscover the player who first broke out in Cleveland. 

Trae Young

Much like Christian Braun, the 4-year, $212 million contract that Washington agreed to with Trae Young raised a lot of eyebrows. A lot of the doubt stems from the rough year he just had.

He played just 15 games last season, 10 with Atlanta and five with Washington after a January trade, and averaged 17.9 points, more than seven below his career average.

Entering the 2026-27 season, though, Trae's prospects look a lot brighter. A revamped Wizards team featuring Anthony Davis, number one overall pick AJ Dybansta, and a promising supporting cast makes up one of the most talented rosters Young’s ever been a part of.

With this many weapons around him, Trae should get easier looks, while his assist numbers could be back to where they used to be.