Every NBA season, the conversation around players becomes just as important as their actual performance on the court. While some players meet the expectations surrounding them, others fail to consistently deliver what they should. The 2025-26 season is no different, as a handful of names are simply overrated.
This list breaks down the five most overrated players in the NBA right now, one at each position. It doesn’t mean these players aren’t talented, far from it. But in a league where results matter, expectations should match reality, and these players aren’t cutting it in that regard.
Point Guards
1. Trae Young – Atlanta Hawks
2. D’Angelo Russell – Dallas Mavericks
3. Jordan Poole – New Orleans Pelicans
4. Tyus Jones – Detroit Pistons
5. Terry Rozier – Miami Heat
Trae Young is still one of the NBA’s flashiest playmakers, but his inefficiency and defensive liabilities might have kept the Atlanta Hawks from taking the next step. Despite impressive scoring and assist numbers, his shot selection often stalls the offense, and he remains a target on defense, making his superstar label feel inflated compared to his true impact. We expect Young to overcome this stigma next season since he has better teammates, but another poor season by the team could ascertain that the point guard is just a stat-sheet stuffer.
D’Angelo Russell has revived his career at times, but he still struggles with consistency and defense, especially in big moments. Playing alongside star players over the past few years, his flaws are even more glaring, as he doesn’t provide the secondary scoring punch or defensive reliability that a true championship-level guard should. In Dallas, Russell has to prove he can step into Kyrie Irving’s absence and then be a capable sixth man when Irving is back.
Jordan Poole’s reputation as a microwave scorer keeps him relevant, but his inefficiency and tunnel vision can derail an offense. On a Pelicans team loaded with some more inefficient and frustrating talent, his lack of defensive effort and streaky shooting often make him more of a liability than an asset. Poole might get back to his best in New Orleans, but we have to label him as overrated until he does.
Tyus Jones has long been praised as a “steady hand” at point guard, but as a full-time starter, he’s shown that his ceiling is limited. He doesn’t push the pace, struggles defensively against elite guards, and his lack of scoring punch means he can’t be trusted to be a starter. Off the bench, he can certainly do a job, but the praise he receives is a little too much.
Terry Rozier’s scoring ability makes him attractive, but his inconsistent efficiency and questionable decision-making in crunch time keep him overrated. On a disciplined team like Miami, his freelance style often clashes with the system, making him look more valuable on paper than in practice. Of course, it doesn’t help that Rozier’s off-court activities are spotlighted right now.
Shooting Guards
1. Jalen Green – Phoenix Suns
2. Bradley Beal – Los Angeles Clippers
3. Cam Thomas – Brooklyn Nets
4. Austin Reaves – Los Angeles Lakers
5. Jordan Clarkson – New York Knicks
Jalen Green’s athleticism and highlight plays make him easy to hype, but his inconsistency and questionable shot selection continue to hold him back. Even with more experience, he hasn’t developed the all-around game needed to justify his “future star” label. That is why the Rockets traded him for a nearly 37-year-old Kevin Durant this offseason, after all.
Bradley Beal is still a smooth scorer, but durability issues and declining defense make him far less impactful than his contract suggests. In L.A., he might struggle to find a consistent role alongside other stars, leaving his production hollow compared to his reputation. We don’t expect Beal to have much of an impact with the Clippers because James Harden is as ball-dominant as it gets.
Cam Thomas can light up the scoreboard on any given night, but his one-dimensional scoring and lack of playmaking limit his overall effectiveness. The Nets often suffer defensively when he’s on the court, making him overrated as a foundational piece. Thomas has a long way to go to prove he can shake the overrated label and start contributing in other areas besides taking shots and scoring points.
Austin Reaves has become a fan favorite and earned praise for his hustle, but he’s been overhyped as a near-star for the Los Angeles Lakers. While solid, his limitations as a defender and scorer against elite competition reveal that he’s more of a role player than a core piece. Hopefully, Reaves can shake this label and start nearing All-Star status.
Jordan Clarkson can heat up as a scorer, but his streaky shooting and defensive shortcomings have always outweighed his true value. In New York, he has to overcome his tendency to dominate the ball and stall the offense, and settle for a sixth man role in limited spurts. He can be effective, but he has to clean up his shot selection first.
Small Forwards
1. RJ Barrett – Toronto Raptors
2. Andrew Wiggins – Miami Heat
3. Tobias Harris – Detroit Pistons
4. Kyle Kuzma – Milwaukee Bucks
5. Michael Porter Jr. – Brooklyn Nets
RJ Barrett has had years to prove he’s a cornerstone, yet he remains an inefficient scorer with little growth in consistency. His reputation as a two-way wing hasn’t materialized, as his defense is spotty and his offensive game remains hit-or-miss. Perhaps that’s why the Raptors are willing to deal Barrett for the right package.
Andrew Wiggins is remembered for his Finals run with Golden State, but he’s regressed since. With Miami, he has been inconsistent offensively and is no longer the reliable two-way presence his reputation suggests. We hope Wiggins can get back to his best, but until then, he has to be regarded as overrated.
Tobias Harris is constantly paid and played like a star, but his game is the definition of “not a star”. He can score, but rarely in high-leverage situations, and his defense remains underwhelming for someone in his role. We aren’t saying Harris is a bad player, because he absolutely isn’t, but he is still overrated because his offense comes and goes.
Kyle Kuzma can put up impressive stats, but they often don’t translate to winning. On a contending team like Milwaukee, his defensive lapses and streaky shooting expose the gap between his box score and actual impact. We saw last year how Kuzma can disappear, and that isn’t a great look for him.
Michael Porter Jr. is one of the league’s best shooters when hot, but health issues and defensive flaws limit his overall contribution. Without Nikola Jokic spoon-feeding him looks, his weaknesses could become more obvious in Brooklyn. Porter Jr wants to compete for the scoring title, but we just don’t see that happening.
Power Forwards
1. Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans
2. Paul George – Philadelphia 76ers
3. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis Grizzlies
4. Julius Randle – Minnesota Timberwolves
5. John Collins – Los Angeles Clippers
When healthy, Zion Williamson is dominant, but the problem is that he rarely is. His inconsistent availability and limited defensive effort make him overrated as a franchise cornerstone, despite the hype surrounding his raw talent. We have had enough hearing about Zion, and we just have to say it’s a shame a player of his talents isn’t on the court to change the NBA landscape.
Paul George seems to have one foot in retirement, and he isn’t the same player who was once a bonafide star. The fact that he is making a max salary is shocking considering the level of production he might provide next season. George has struggled with injuries, to be fair, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the most overrated players in the NBA.
Jaren Jackson Jr’s defensive accolades sometimes overshadow his limitations. He struggles to rebound at an elite level, fouls too often, and his offensive game hasn’t expanded enough to justify his All-Star reputation. JJJ can get to a dominant level if he works for it, but he has to want it to get to that next level.
Julius Randle has big nights statistically, but his inefficiency and playoff struggles define him. In Minnesota, his tendency to dominate the ball disrupts the flow at times, and being the second option to Anthony Edwards means he will be under immense pressure. Randle still has All-Star capabilities in him, but he has to show them more often.
John Collins’ athleticism and finishing ability keep him in the spotlight, but his game hasn’t evolved much. He’s a poor defender and an inconsistent shooter, making him less effective than his reputation suggests. He put up strong numbers last year, but hopefully, he can translate that to winning with the Clippers.
Centers
1. Deandre Ayton – Los Angeles Lakers
2. Rudy Gobert – Minnesota Timberwolves
3. Mitchell Robinson – New York Knicks
4. Jusuf Nurkic – Utah Jazz
5. Nikola Vucevic – Chicago Bulls
Deandre Ayton’s reputation as a skilled big man remains, but his motor and intensity are constantly questioned. Too often, he disappears in games, and that could leave the Lakers with a center who looks better on paper than on the floor. Remember, the Lakers organization has little patience with big men, so Ayton’s future could be in doubt if he doesn’t buck up.
Four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert racks up rebounds and blocks, but his limitations are exposed in the playoffs. His offensive game is minimal, and teams still exploit him in switches, making him overrated despite the accolades. Out of all the multiple-time DPOY winners in NBA history, Gobert is the most disrespected for a reason.
Mithell Robinson is a strong rim protector and rebounder, but injuries and a limited offensive skill set hold him back. His reputation as a defensive anchor often oversells his actual two-way impact, and the Knicks could be better off moving on from the banged-up center.
Jusuf Nurkic is skilled offensively, but slow-footed defensively and prone to injury. While he puts up decent stats, his inability to anchor a defense makes him overrated as a starting center. We are worried that Nurkic might not have an NBA job soon if he doesn’t shake the image he has.
Nikola Vucevic can still score and rebound at a high level, but his defensive weaknesses make him a liability in today’s NBA. His production doesn’t consistently translate to winning, leaving his reputation overstated compared to his real impact. His numbers might scream “All-Star” at times, but the impact simply isn’t there.
