With the recent signings of Joe Johnson and Lance Stephenson, it's left us wondering about the other ex-NBA players who are deserving of another shot at playing in the league. Considering all the injuries and players affected by the COVID-19 situation, there have been a ton of teams playing shorthanded and are in need of all the help they can gather.

Now that there has been hope for former NBA stars to be welcomed back, this definitely opens the doors for more opportunities in the near future.

Let's take a look at the five ex-NBA players who deserve a long-anticipated return.

5. Jimmer Fredette 

During his days at BYU, Fredette made a name for himself as an electric scorer that could light it up on any given night. His ballhandling and court vision were a vital part of his game as well, making him a highly coveted draft prospect in 2011. Unfortunately, Fredette was not able to replicate the success in his first few years with the Sacramento Kings and ultimately was unable to carve a niche for himself in the NBA.

Eventually, Fredette fully put his skills on display and even set a few scoring records while playing for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. For a team that's in need of a veteran guard who can provide some scoring and playmaking off the bench, the addition of Fredette would be a wise decision.

4. Anthony Randolph

It wasn't all that long ago that Randolph was a household name during NBA free agency. He was a high-quality combo big man who could provide athleticism, rim protection, rebounding, and low-post scoring. Even though he fell out of favor in the NBA a few years back, Randolph has played consistently well for Real Madrid of Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague.

He's been a major contributor in the team's success over the past several seasons. For any NBA squad that's lacking size and a reliable power forward/center who can run the floor, Randolph could be a sneaky good pick-up. Plus with his recent successes and expanded offensive game, Randolph may be an even better fit in today's game.

3. Shane Larkin 

Currently thriving as the starting guard for Anadolu Efes in the Turkish Basketball Super League, Larkin had a brief but decent run in the NBA with stops with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics. After having spent the past few seasons playing overseas, could Larkin be ready for a return to the NBA?

With a few scoring records and one of the highest player efficiency ratings ever in the Turkish Basketball Super League now on his resume, Larken could be perfect for an NBA team that needs a quality back-up at the point guard spot. As a standout floor general at the University of Miami, Larkin had a ton of potential, and after the time he spent playing in Turkey, it's fair to say that he's lived up to it.

2. Jamal Crawford 

Crawford has one of the greatest handles in NBA history and is considered the original king of the four-point play. His game has always been an art form. Not to mention, he's won multiple Sixth Man of The Year trophies. He always thrived in this role with several teams over the course of his memorable career.

There's no doubt that Crawford's return to the NBA would make for quite the spectacle with his well-rounded offensive game and veteran leadership. Even at 41 years old, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising to see him break the ankles of some of the league's best perimeter defenders.

1. Michael Beasley 

A former no. 2 overall pick and a journeyman who's had his fair share of off-the-court issues, Beasley has shown what he's capable of when he removes all the distractions and sticks to basketball. He's an absolute force of nature on offense. He can provide midrange scoring on top of being able to finish well around the rim. Despite being a defensive liability and endlessly moving from team to team every couple of years, Beasley did play for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Summer League this year.

Even though he didn't land a new deal with an NBA team, Beasley has done well playing for Cangrejeros de Santurce of Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Spain. If there's an NBA squad out there looking to add depth and tenacity to their frontcourt, then taking a chance on the 32-year-old Beasley is something that should be strongly considered.