In the NBA, some stars shine brighter than the rest. Yet, among a chosen few talents that grace the hardwood, a few luminaries are often being overlooked and overshadowed by superstars. As we enter the early stages of the 2023-2024 NBA season, we uncover the top 5 most underrated players who deserve to be recognized and embraced. Would your favorite player be on this list?
5. Wendell Carter Jr.
There’s already a long list of talented centers in the league right now, but there are some that get overshadowed by the Embiids and Jokices. One of which is Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.. The 6-foot-10 big man is rarely being talked about, which basically makes him extremely underrated. That may all be because he’s in Orlando.
Last night didn't show us how bad any of players are.
What it did was highlight how important Wendell Carter Jr is to this team. pic.twitter.com/10Qc2fvf6s
— WeltGawd (@WeltGawd) November 10, 2023
Regardless, Carter Jr. is actually a very reliable center who can get an easy double-double (points and rebounds) even with limited playing time. He’s also very respectable as a defender and rim protector considering how he fares well against superstar-caliber centers in the NBA. This season, he’s still putting up decent numbers but it’s significantly lower than what he was posting in the past 6 years, mainly due to the fact that Paolo Banchero has taken over the team and forward Jonathan Isaac is back in rotation. Truth be told, Carter Jr. may just be the most underrated center in the league in the last five years.
4. Aaron Gordon
People are gushing over Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., but the Denver Nuggets became a more solid team thanks to Aaron Gordon. The NBA 2-time Slam Dunk champion, oh sorry, “almost champion”, transitioned from being the number two guy on his team back in Orlando to being a reliable fourth option in Denver.
Aaron Gordon ran the perfect give-and-go on the break for the JAM 💥pic.twitter.com/01OL0YjadL
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 15, 2023
Aside from being extremely athletic, AG also improved his style of play. He complimented Jokic’s stellar court vision. He’s also a great on-ball defender, making him one of the best assets in his team.
3. Isaiah Hartenstein
The New York Knicks are a pretty good team in the East, that is if their core plays well. However, one man on their roster who seems to be getting overlooked is the German-American big man, Isaiah Hartenstein.
Isaiah Hartenstein pulls from beyond the arc to beat the shot clock buzzer 🤯
Celtics-Knicks | Live on NBA TV 📲 https://t.co/tSVPpZ9Xb6 pic.twitter.com/tCyD2oV4KD
— NBA (@NBA) November 14, 2023
Those who watch NBA games would immediately identify the impact of Isaiah Hartenstein on the Knicks. The reason why they’re winning games is not because of Julius Randle (he’s playing poorly by the way), RJ Barret (inconsistent), nor because of Jalen Brunson, but due to Hartenstein’s intangible effect. He may not be averaging double digits in points and rebounds, but the 25-year-old center passes the eye test as an elite player. Hartenstein is a great rim protector as well as a solid rotation guy. He was playing well for the Knicks while Mitchell Robinson was out and helped the team win games.
2. Delon Wright
Just because Delon Wright isn’t as popular as Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, doesn’t mean he does not deserve the credit of being named one of the best two-way players in the league right now.
Delon Wright off the bench tonight:
18 points (4/5 FG)
3 rebounds
3 assists
2/3 3pt
8/8 FT
4 steals
+26 (!)Balled out tonight🔒 pic.twitter.com/kJyMaCUd62
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) November 9, 2023
Wright has been around in the NBA for about 9 seasons. Being an elite defender and serviceable role player, it’s no wonder why teams love him on their team. He may not be averaging the same numbers as the previously mentioned players, but Wright is a 3-and-D guy who’s going to give you quick buckets and a defensive stop. Ask Wizards fans and they’ll tell you that Wright is the best backup point guard they had in years.
1. Most Underrated Player of the Year: Devin Vassell
The 2020 11th overall pick, Devin Vassell, has been playing well in the last couple of years. Only Spurs fans are witnessing his talent because he’s playing in a small market franchise. Now that Victor Wembanyama is in San Antonio, Vassell also gets to be shined by the spotlight.
Devin Vassell starting to cook 👨🍳pic.twitter.com/oAmhKDQi8P
— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) November 15, 2023
He’s averaging a career-high in three-point percentage this season with 43.1%. In addition, he’s still averaging more than 15 PPG, 17.3 points per game to be exact, the second-leading scorer in San Antonio.
Is it time to give Devin Vassell his flowers?
