After submitting the list of the 10 most overrated players in the NBA, it is time to rank the most underrated players. Being underrated means that a player does not receive enough recognition or praise for what they bring to their teams despite being a factor for their team’s success. Oftentimes, these players are outshined by other star players on the roster.
- 10. Richaun Holmes
- 9. Malcolm Brogdon
- 8. DeMar DeRozan
- 7. Jordan Clarkson
- 6. Terry Rozier
- 5. John Collins
- 4. Nikola Vucevic
- 3. Mikal Bridges
- 2. Clint Capela
- 1. Jrue Holiday
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Heading into the 2021 season, there are some names that stand out immediately. While most of these players are getting paid nicely by their teams, they are often disregarded by fans and pundits when discussing the team’s successes in the regular season and playoffs. Without further ado, here are the 10 most underrated players in the league right now.
10. Richaun Holmes
Richaun Holmes is a great big man in the modern NBA because he is athletic enough to move around the court and cover the paint when his teammate is beaten off the dribble. At 28 years old, Holmes is in his prime and can only get better in his offensive and defensive game.
Averaging 14.2 PPG and 8.3 RPG last year, Holmes was a key contributor for the Sacramento Kings and will be one of their best players again this year. The big man can catch lobs, run on the break, and also score in the occasional post-up. He is not a three-point shooter so that could improve, but otherwise, Holmes is a terrific shot-blocker and rebounder.
9. Malcolm Brogdon
Malcolm Brogdon signed a 2-year extension to remain with the Indiana Pacers this season, although his name is floating around the trade market thanks to Ben Simmons. Brogdon is a terrific two-way player, averaging 21.2 PPG on 38.8% shooting from deep. The guard has the size and athleticism to defend multiple positions and is only 28 years of age.
After Domantas Sabonis, Brogdon might be the best player on his team. The 2017 Rookie of the Year is very consistent with his offense and what he brings on defense, so it is no surprise that the Pacers will love to hold onto him if they are not interested in nabbing Simmons from Philadelphia.
8. DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is a much better all-around player after his time in San Antonio, and he should get the credit he deserves from the Chicago faithful. After signing with the Bulls, DeRozan has a ton of exciting players around him including Nikola Vicevic, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball. But for some reason, DeRozan has been underrated during his time with the Spurs.
DeRozan had very little postseason success with the Spurs, which could be one of the contributing factors. Not to mention, the Kawhi Leonard trade hurt DeRozan’s stock around the league. But the athletic wing player is a naturally great scorer and his passing has greatly improved under Gregg Popovich (3.1 APG with the Raptors to 6.2 APG with the Spurs).
7. Jordan Clarkson
Last season’s 6th Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson was an energizer bunny off the Utah Jazz bench. Many times during last season, Clarkson’s three-point shooting was the main reason his team won games because the instant offense is often a luxury for a role player. Clarkson averaged 18.4 PPG in 26.7 MPG, extraordinary numbers for a backup.
Clarkson is the best in his role right now because he comes in and gets shots off immediately. After his stints with the Cavaliers and Lakers, Clarkson is only getting better as a shooter and scorer. He will be key for the Jazz as the team hopes to capture the #1 seed in the NBA once again.
6. Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier has quietly become a starting-caliber player in the NBA, and his impact is becoming undeniably good. The ultra-confident guard averaged 20.4 PPG on 38.9% shooting from three and has become the go-to sidekick for LaMelo Ball in the backcourt. Rozier is getting better by the year, and he is only 27 years old.
“Scary Terry” will be looking to have his name in the headlines more often as he helps the Charlotte Hornets get close to competing in the playoffs every season. He is playing next to a budding superstar in Ball and will feed off the energy the No. 1 overall pick brings to the game every night.
5. John Collins
Trae Young steals all the headlines in Atlanta and for good reason. But John Collins is one of the best lob receivers in the entire NBA because he explodes off his feet and is aggressive rolling to the rim. Collins’ presence is one of the main reasons the Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year.
Averaging 17.6 PPG and 7.4 RPG last season, Collins signed a big-money deal this offseason and will be key for the Hawks once again this year. At 24 years old, the big man will be one of the cornerstones of a top team in the Eastern Conference for at least another 8 years. The key for Atlanta is to continue to develop Collins because they are on to something with their core group.
4. Nikola Vucevic
The big man has somehow flown under the radar despite being a double-double machine for the majority of his career. Vucevic is a scoring and rebounding All-Star, making the team last year and having a chance at facing postseason success with the Bulls. Vucevic does a lot of things well on the court, but his size and paint presence will be key this year.
Vucevic does not get enough credit for being an impact player because he plays below the rim and will not be making headlines again because of Zach LaVine’s aerial prowess. LaVine is a special player and he, along with Lonzo Ball, are the flashiest players on the team. Nonetheless, expect Vucevic to once again average a double-double playing alongside some exciting players.
3. Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges signed a big contract this offseason after his sensational campaign last year. Bridges proved to be a perfect swingman in the modern game, playing off Chris Paul and Devin Booker to nail three-point shots and play lockdown defense. Bridges shot 42.5% from three last year and kept that figure at 36.8% in his first postseason appearance.
The 25-year old was one of the steals in the 2018 NBA Draft, and he along with Deandre Ayton, are perfect franchise cornerstones alongside Devin Booker. Chris Paul is 36 years old, so Bridges has a few more years of taking notes from one of the greats to take his game to another level.
2. Clint Capela
Clint Capela was the enforcer for the successful Houston Rockets team that was a force in the James Harden era. By dominating the glass and protecting the rim, Capela built his reputation as fringe All-Star at using his size. While not blessed with the skill of Anthony Davis or Nikola Jokic, Capela is still above-average in his role.
Last season, the Swiss big man led the NBA in rebounds at 14.3 RPG and has a chance to repeat that feat again. Capela blocks shots, rebounds, and defends at a high level and is one of the major factors of an Atlanta Hawks team that is stacked with talent. Thanks to other teammates by his side that are much more flashy, Capela will always fly under the radar.
1. Jrue Holiday
Almost everyone scoffed at the deal that the Milwaukee Bucks completed when they sent over a slew of draft picks to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for their defensive guard, Jrue Holiday. At 31 years old and 8 years removed from his first and only All-Star appearance, nobody thought that deal would pay off the way it did.
Giannis Antetokounmpo rightfully receives the bulk of the credit for making the Bucks title-contenders, and so does Khris Middleton to a lesser degree. But Holiday’s presence as a lockdown defender, capable ball-handler, and scorer gave the Bucks that extra piece to get over the line. Holiday does not always make it look pretty on the box score, but without a doubt, he is one of the best defensive players in the NBA and the most underrated star in the league.
