Eight Former All-Stars That NBA Teams Won't Sign This Season

One of the most interesting and inspiring storylines heading into the 2022-2023 NBA season is the return of John Wall.

The five-time NBA All-Star has played just 40 games in the past three seasons, having sat out the 2019-2020 due to injuries and the 2021-2022 season because of roster issues.

Many believed that Wall was "done" in terms of playing NBA basketball and was on his way out of the league.

On the contrary, he has been able to revitalize his career after signing with the Los Angeles Clippers during the offseason.

In 13 games for the Clippers so far, Wall has been pretty solid, putting up 11.6 points and 5.7 assists per game off the bench.

Other players like Wall haven't been as fortunate, however.

Here are some former NBA All-Stars who currently aren't in the league.

Disclaimer: This list only includes players who have not yet retired.

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is perhaps the most-decorated player on this list as he is an NBA champion, eight-time NBA All-Star and eight-time All-NBA selection, among others.

The 36-year-old has played 18 seasons in the NBA, with career averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Last season, he played 60 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, norming 6.2 markers and 5.9 boads per outing.

He is currently playing for the Taoyuan Leopards in Taiwan.

In the past seasons, Howard has proved that he could still be a serviceable back-up big man in the NBA.

Unfortunately, Howard has expressed his desire to play a bigger role, something that most NBA teams today aren't willing to offer to the aging former MVP candidate.

Carmelo Anthony

Another surprising name on this list, Carmelo Anthony is one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history.

In his 20-season NBA career, "Melo" has averages of 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

He last played 69 games for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-2022 NBA season, where he had per-game counts of 13.3 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Currently, Anthony is an unsigned free agent.

Much like Howard, Anthony is used to being the primary option, so he has found it difficult to accept lesser roles in an NBA team.

In his past two seasons, he appeared to have embraced the bench role and was effective in it.

Still, teams today appear to be wary of bringing in a score-only forward who's clearly past his prime.

Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker is a four-time NBA All-Star and a 2018-2019 All-NBA selection.

In 11 seasons in the NBA, Walker has averaged 19.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Last season, Walker played 37 games for the New York Knicks, averaging 11.6 points and 3.5 assists per game.

The Knicks traded Walker to the Detroit Pistons in July of 2022, but he was waived before the start of the season.

Walker struggled heavily during his last two seasons, but could definitely be a solid playmaker off the bench for any NBA team.

Being one of the most well-liked players in the league, fans could expect Walker to be back on an NBA bench soon.

LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge is a seven-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection.

In his 17-season NBA career, Aldridge has averaged 19.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Back in the 2020-2021 season, Aldridge signed with the Brooklyn Nets but abruptly retired after just five games following a heart-related medical incident.

In the 2021-2022 season, Aldridge was cleared to return to basketball and signed with the Nets again, where he played just 47 games, averaging 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds.

Age, diminished production, and extensive injury history are likely reasons why Aldridge isn't on an NBA roster today.

DeMarcus Cousins

An 11-season NBA veteran, DeMarcus Cousins was once considered the best big man in the league. He has career averages of 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

The 32-year-old is a four-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection.

He last played for the Denver Nuggets and was a key rotation player during the Nuggets' postseason run.

Cousins tallied 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game during his time at the Mile High City.

"Boogie" proved his worth as a solid back-up big last season, but his desire to be a bigger part of the rotation could be the reason why franchises are passing up on signing the versatile big man.

Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap is a four-time NBA All-Star.

In 16 seasons, Millsap has averages of 13.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

Millsap last played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021-2022 NBA season.

Like most aging big men, Millsap has seen his production dwindle and his defense has become a liability, which is why he isn't on an roster in the league today.

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo is a two-time NBA champion, four-time NBA All-Star, and a former All-NBA selection.

In 16 NBA seasons, Rondo has averages of 9.8 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.

He last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he posted 6.2 points and 4.9 assists per game in 21 games.

While it's likely that Rondo doesn't return to the NBA as a player, it would not be surprising to see the veteran playmaker return to the bench in a coaching role.

Rondo is one of the most intelligent players in the league, and would make an amazing mentor to younger players.

Isaiah Thomas

A two-time NBA All-Star and former All-NBA selection, Isaiah Thomas has effectively been out of the league since 2020.

Since then, he has gone back-and-forth in the G-League and in the NBA on 10-day contracts.

During the 2021-2022 NBA season, Thomas signed two 10-day contracts with the Charlotte Hornets before eventually being signed for the remainder of the season.

In 11 seasons, Thomas has averages of 17.7 points and 4.8 assists per game.

After dealing with a hip injury, Thomas was no longer the player he was during his peak years with the Boston Celtics, which is why ballclubs have been hesitant on bringing in the undersized scorer.