You may wonder what it means to be the most underrated NBA players. Most people do not realize how good an NBA player is if he is underrated, especially if he is a great performer at any position. They are the league’s most underappreciated players. For whatever reason, some NBA’s greatest players go underrated by the league’s biggest fans, and in some cases, by their supporters. Surprisingly, some NBA All-Stars are regarded as underrated by many fans.
Who is the most underrated NBA player? Anyone can pass statements that which players are underrated and why they are underrated will vary for each player. The NBA has far too many talented players for a list to do them justice. With that said, some have become the greatest performers in league history, but many audiences/fans tried to dismiss them. NBA players are obsessed with expectations before they even step on the court, whether they live in the shadow of an older brother or were a top pick who did not immediately succeed. There are a few best NBA players who haven’t received the recognition they deserve. Here is our list of 15 of the NBA’s most underappreciated players right now:
The 15 Most underrated NBA players in 2023
1. Gary Trent Jr – Toronto Raptors
17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG
Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and underrated players in the NBA today, starting with a Toronto Raptor and ending with one. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. Since the Trail Blazers drafted him in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, he has called Portland his NBA home.
He emerged as a shooting threat and defensive x-factor alongside his mentors Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum as the NBA Bubble’s breakout star. In 2021 and 2022, he consistently dropped games in which he scored 30-50 points. The young man isn’t a household name yet, but if he maintains his level of play, he could be one of the game’s next greats, leading Toronto to a second NBA title.
2. Seth Curry – Brooklyn Nets
15.0 points, 3.6 APG, and 3.1 RPG
Seth Curry is an outstanding three-point shooter. He has a higher career three-point percentage than Steph Curry, which is quite remarkable. It’s difficult not to think of all-time three-point champion Stephen Curry. Seth Curry, the two-time league MVP’s younger brother, lurks in the shadows. Seth can do almost everything Steph can do, but not quite at the same level of production.
He has a true shooting percentage of 63%, which places him in the top 15 in this category. He can be seen roaming around the perimeter of a Nets game, waiting for his catch-and-shoot three-pointers. The confidence with which he shoots is one of his strongest assets. Curry’s body language indicates that he knows the shot is going in the second the basketball touches his hands.
3. Luke Kennard – Los Angeles Clippers
16.3 points, 3.7 APG, and 3.9 RPG
Casual NBA fans were mystified when the Clippers awarded Luke Kennard a four-year, $64 million contract extension last December. This transfer deal was a steal for the LA Clippers. Kennard has knocked down 45% of his threes while attempting over 6 a game. An absolute menace roaming the floor, Kennard is primed to knock down a shot at any second. An underrated way that Kennard is used in the Clipper’s offense is through the pick-and-roll with Paul George. The LA Clippers like to run a set where Kennard sets an on-ball screen for Paul George and either rolls to the free-throw line or out to the perimeter for an open shot. Kennard will continue to be an integral part of this Clippers offense, for a good reason.
4. Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks
16.3 points, 4.8 APG, and 3.9 RPG
Jalen Brunson’s NBA future was uncertain after winning two national championships at Villanova and the John R. Wooden award. Some scouts questioned whether he could adapt to the NBA playstyle. Brunson has proven all of his critics wrong, establishing himself as one of the league’s top point guards. Brunson is a floor general who plays an extremely high-IQ brand of basketball. He has a sense of patience on his drives that, like prime Le’veon Bell, cannot be taught. Brunson’s importance to the Knicks cannot be overstated, as he adds a floor general who will speed up the game. Brunson signed a max contract with the Kicks this summer and hopes to help them return to the playoffs.
5. Dejounte Murray – Atlanta Hawks
21.1 points, 9.2 APG, and 8.3 RPG
Every time it appears that the Spurs are about to be written off, Greg Popovich finds a way to pull them back. The Spurs appeared to be in rebuild mode after a string of disappointing seasons. Dejounte Murray stood out as one of the best young guards in a litter of great young guards. Last season, the Spurs played fast basketball, finishing in the top ten in the league in pace.
Murray, as one of the league’s best transition guards, accelerated the pace. Murray’s three-point shooting can sometimes be inconsistent, but he has proven to be an elite two-level scorer. Dejounte Murray has good size for a guard at 6’4″ and is quick on his first step. Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks this offseason and will share the backcourt with Trae Young. Murray does everything possible to generate Ws, and he will undoubtedly gain the clout he deserves soon.
6. Jarrett Allen – Cleveland Cavaliers
11.2 points and 8.5 RPG in 313 regular-season games.
Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the league’s most promising young teams. Jarrett Allen, the man in the middle, can be credited with much of this success. Allen, acquired in a trade from Brooklyn, has been an unstoppable defensive force for the Cavs. Allen has one of the most powerful motors in the league, constantly scanning the floor for the best positioning. Jarrett Allen’s on-ball defense has been an underappreciated aspect of his game this season. The Cavs love to switch on defense, and Allen has proven he can defend even perimeter guards. The Cavaliers’ success will undoubtedly continue thanks to his fanatical defensive playstyle.
7. Garrison Mathews – Houston Rockets
10.0 points, 1.0 APG, and 2.9 RPG
Most NBA fans are unlikely to recognize Garrison Matthews’ name. The Rockets’ third-year guard should be on everyone’s radar. Matthews is a constant threat to catch a deep ball. Matthews, like the NBA 2K badge ‘deep range deadeye,’ is unfazed by defenders closing in. When Matthews is on fire, the tape looks eerily similar to that of Klay Thompson on offense. Matthews, who ranks in the top 20 in the league in true shooting percentage, has earned the nickname “knockdown shooter.”
8. Malcolm Brogdon – Boston Celtics
15.4 points, 4.8 APG, and 4.2 RPG in 323 regular-season games
Since he arrived in the league in 2016, few players have been as fundamentally sounded as Malcolm Brogdon. The floor general took over a struggling Milwaukee Bucks franchise and won Rookie of the Year before signing with the Indiana Pacers before the Bucks won a championship. Brogdon was traded to the Celtics this summer, giving him a genuine chance to contribute to a championship squad. Brogdon can do it all on the court and is an excellent modern-day point guard.
9. Grayson Allen – Milwaukee Bucks
11.1 points, 3.4 APG, and 3.4 RPG
Grayson Allen was one of the most scrutinized college basketball players in recent memory, and many dismiss him as a result. Allen, on the other hand, was a great fit for the Bucks last season, filling the next-man-up role amid various injuries and positive covid cases. Allen, who plays the perimeter on offense, can be found roaming the perimeter of most possessions. He is a consistent three-point threat, shooting 40.7% from distance on seven attempts per game. Allen may be reviled for his time at Duke, but there is no denying that he has NBA potential.
10. Desmond Bane – Memphis Grizzlies
18.2 points, 2.7 APG, and 4.4 RPG
When Ja Morant was injured, the Grizzlies needed someone to step up. Desmond Bane, a second-year guard, provides all of that and more. Bane has nearly doubled his scoring average from last year, making him a key scoring threat for the Grizzlies. Unlike many of the other players on this list, Bane can score and shoot off the dribble. His bag is deep, as evidenced by his hesitations and quick step-backs. The Grizzlies have a promising young core, and Bane will be a key member of it for many years to come. Bane’s role in the Grizzlies rotation is expected to grow this season.
11. Alec Burks – Detroit Pistons
10.6 points, 3.5 RPG, and 2.0 APG in 625 regular-season games
The Knicks had a hot start last season but have since cooled off significantly. Alec Burks, on the other hand, has been a shining light. Burks improved his game in New York after a few years of playing for various teams. Burks, a great pull-up shooter with excellent finishing ability, can score from anywhere on the court. He also has a significant defensive impact, aggressively pursuing passing lanes and causing deflections. Burks, who is now with the Detroit Pistons, is the ideal complement and mentor for Cade Cunningham and Jared Ivey, as he can play both on and off the ball.
12. JaVale McGee – Dallas Mavericks
6.6 points and 5.7 RPG in 16.6 minutes per game
JaVale McGee, a.k.a. Tragic Bronson, was largely a joke earlier in his career but is now a key contributor to any NBA team he joins. When Dario Saric was injured in the finals last season, the Suns knew they needed to fill the backup center spot. McGee was brought in for the role and he was a perfect fit. McGee has championship DNA at this point in his career, it’s safe to say. His ability to play for short stretches to allow Deandre Ayton to rest was critical to the Suns’ regular-season success. One thing is certain: McGee’s signing with the Mavericks was among the best of the offseason.
13. Isaiah Hartenstein – New York Knicks
20.9 points, 12.1 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks
If you look at the leaderboards for any of the most advanced stats, you’ll notice a lot of familiar faces: Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, and Isaiah Hartenstein. After spending the majority of his first three seasons on the NBA’s periphery, the 23-year-old German big man’s performance last season landed him a two-year, $16 million deal with the Knicks in free agency. While his counting stats are modest, they do not reflect his true impact. He’s a deft finisher who ranks in the 91st percentile as a pick-and-roll finisher, and a commanding rim protector who patrols the backline for one of the NBA’s best defenses.
14. Jordan Clarkson – Utah Jazz
15.4 points, 3.3 RPG, and 2.5 APG
Players are increasingly hesitant to come off the bench these days. Jordan Clarkson had proven to be an impactful NBA player when he arrived in Utah, but his ceiling remained unknown. He accepted his role on the bench and has had a remarkable NBA career thus far. Clarkson won the 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year award, and I expect him to win more soon.
15. Bobby Portis – Milwaukee Bucks
11.1 points and 6.6 RPG in 453 regular-season games
Bobby Portis was praised for his high motor and effort on both sides of the floor when he first entered the league as a Chicago Bull. Since joining the Milwaukee Bucks, the former Arkansas Razorback’s reputation has only grown. Portis has become an essential part of the Bucks’ championship rotation. Bobby Portis, despite increasing his production from beyond the arc and being a threat on defense, never gets the recognition he deserves.
Read also- What Is Double Dribble In Basketball? Know Double Dribble Rules.
FAQs: Who are the most underrated NBA players?
Bernard King is one of the most underrated players in NBA history. According to Report, he averaged 22.5 points and 6 RPGs.
The 76ers are the most underrated team in NBA history.
The NBA’s best players who perform well, but still get too low ratings or recognization is called underrated.
Conclusion
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