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5 players with something to prove when NBA returns

By Luke Duffy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs drives the ball around Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 22: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs drives the ball around Brandon Ingram #14 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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With the NBA coming back, this group of players has more to prove than most, for a whole variety of reasons that will influence our perception of them.

With the NBA taking its talents to Walt Disney World Resort, we now know that we will be getting a conclusion to the 2019-20 season. While some feel that this may go down as an asterisk year, while others vehemently do not, there is far more to sort out than who the eventual champion will be.

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22 teams are coming back, and most of them don’t have a chance at winning the title. As with any NBA season though, there’s a lot more than that to figure out before the games finish properly this time. Some big names could make a surprise return, and of the guys already down to play, there is lots to sort out among them too.

Trae Young won’t be there for example, as the Atlanta Hawks have been eliminated. Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies will, however, and although they’re very different players the conversation on who you would rather start a franchise with is as interesting as it has been at any point this season.

Morant will now get the chance to make up even more ground and change some more people’s minds because he’ll actually be playing again this season. That really is the beauty of the league coming back the way that it is. Casual fans who just want any sport at all are going to tune into the games in their droves, all while the teams battle it out in one location.

This presents a somewhat unique opportunity for a lot of the players present with what the league hopes will be increased eyes on them. Factor in the uncertainty on the salary cap in the near future and what franchises will be willing to spend and build around, and players need to use this opportunity to secure their long-term futures, whether in a contract year or not. Here are five guys who have more to prove right now than most.