Top 5 X-Factor players in the Eastern Conference playoff race for the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Kemba Walker

New York Knicks Introduce New Signees

After a turbulent few seasons with the Boston Celtics, Kemba Walker has made his way to his hometown New York Knicks. Since joining the NBA, Walker has been remarkably healthy, participating in less than 78 games only four times in nine seasons as a pro (excluding his rookie lockout season where he was available for all 66 games).

Two of those four seasons were his time in Boston. Beginning in 2020, Walker was strained by knee issues, which can be extremely limiting for a guard that heavily relies on change of pace and direction. After four straight seasons of making the All-Star game, Walker was left of the roster in 2020-21.

New York is hoping that Kemba can remain healthy for an extended period of time and return to form as soon as possible. Even in his alleged down-season last year, Walker averaged 19.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 42.0 percent from the field, 36.0 percent from three, and 89.9 percent from the free throw line.

If Kemba Walker can remain healthy, he could supply the threatening perimeter creation that the New York Knicks have been lacking to make a splash in the NBA playoffs.

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#2 Victor Oladipo

Miami Heat Media Day

Victor Oladipo has sadly failed to remain healthy for three straight seasons now. In each of those last four years, he participated in 33, 19, and 36 total games. While leading the Indiana Pacers in 2019, Oladipo suffered a torn quad tendon and that same quad has restricted him for seasons now.

After being sent to the rebuilding Houston Rockets as part of a three-team deal that was headlined by James Harden, Oladpio was moved that same season to the Miami Heat. He would only suit up for four games in Miami before he required season-ending surgery on his right quad tendon.

Prior to this unfortunate string of injuries, Oladipo was one of the best young guards in the league and excelled on both ends of the floor. While it's doubtful he will ever return to his previous All-Star form, even a fraction of that could swing the tide for the top-heavy 2021-22 Heat roster.

Imagine having to contain all of Kyle Lowry, Victor Oladipo, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo while simultaneously concerns with the shooting of Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro.

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#1 Spencer Dinwiddie

Washington Wizards Media Day

Spencer Dinwiddie feels like one of the most underappreciated talents in the NBA. In 2019-20, the 6'5" guard averaged 20.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while converting 41.5 percent of his attempts from the field, 30.8 percent from three, and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. The percentages aren't jaw dropping, but averaging 20 points in the NBA is no easy feat.

Another aspect of Spencer Dinwiddie is that he has shown a willingness to adapt to whatever role the team best sees fit for him. When Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets roster with him, Dinwiddie was ready to take a more tertiary role for the sake of winning basketball games.

Before getting the chance to show his ideal complimentary skillset to those uber talented stars, Dinwiddie went down with a partially torn ACL in his right knee after just 3 games into the 2020-21 NBA season.

Luckily for him, the Washington Wizards still seem to be believers in his talents and traded a second-round pick to acquire him for three-years, $62-million in a sign-and-trade. With his willingness to adapt to those around him, Dinwiddie could be the ideal guard to pair alongside Bradley Beal and help Washington reach the next level.