10 Most Underrated NBA Players Who Deserve More Recognition
As I was watching this year's Western Conference playoffs unfold, it struck me how the narrative always focuses on the superstars—the LeBrons, the Currys, the Durants of the world. But having followed the NBA for over two decades, I've come to appreciate that what truly makes the Western Conference so compelling isn't just its star power, but the incredible depth of talent that often flies under the radar. The fact that we're seeing different franchises reach the Finals year after year—six consecutive seasons with different Western Conference champions, something that hasn't happened since the 1972-73 through 1977-78 seasons—tells you everything you need to know about the conference's competitive balance. This remarkable parity isn't just about superstar movements; it's about those crucial secondary players who consistently deliver without getting the recognition they deserve.
Let me start with a player I've been championing for years: Mike Conley. Now in his late 30s, Conley has been the steady hand behind multiple playoff teams, yet he's never made an All-Star game in his entire career. That's criminal when you consider his impact. I remember watching him during the 2021 playoffs when he averaged 15.3 points and 7 assists while shooting 48% from the field. He was the engine that kept Utah's offense humming, yet all the headlines went to Donovan Mitchell. What makes Conley special isn't just his numbers—it's his basketball IQ and leadership that you can't quantify. Teams with Conley on the roster consistently outperform expectations, and I'd argue he's been one of the top five point defenders in the league for the past decade.
Then there's Robert Covington, who I believe revolutionized the 3-and-D role before it became the league-wide obsession it is today. During his peak years in Philadelphia, Covington was putting up 13 points, 6 rebounds, and leading the league in deflections while shooting 37% from three. Yet he was constantly traded and undervalued because his game wasn't flashy. I've spoken with scouts who admit they missed on Covington's potential because his skills don't jump off the stat sheet. But watch any game he's in, and you'll see how he completely changes defensive schemes. His length and anticipation disrupt passing lanes in ways that traditional metrics still struggle to capture.
Speaking of defense, I've got to mention Derrick White, who might be the most underrated two-way guard in the league right now. When Boston acquired him, most casual fans shrugged, but those of us who study film knew they were getting a potential game-changer. White's defensive rating of 106.3 last season placed him among the elite perimeter defenders, yet he's never made an All-Defensive team. What fascinates me about White is how he impacts winning beyond conventional stats—his hockey assists, his defensive rotations, his ability to draw charges at crucial moments. He's the type of player who makes everyone around him better, yet you'll rarely see his jersey in the stands.
The big man position has its share of overlooked talent too. I've been particularly impressed with Jakob Poeltl's development. The Austrian center has quietly become one of the most efficient interior presences in the game, shooting 62% from the field last season while averaging nearly 2 blocks per game. Yet because he plays in San Antonio during their rebuilding phase, his contributions go largely unnoticed nationally. I remember watching him dominate the paint against Denver last season, completely altering Jokic's shots without fouling—a skill that few centers possess. Poeltl's footwork and positioning are textbook examples of fundamental basketball that young players should study.
What's interesting about these underrated players is how they often become the difference-makers in playoff series. Look at last year's Western Conference finals—while the stars grabbed headlines, it was players like Kevon Looney whose rebounding prowess (he grabbed 22 rebounds in a crucial Game 6) ultimately swung the series. Looney's story is particularly compelling because he's overcome multiple hip surgeries to become one of the league's most reliable big men. I've spoken with trainers who consider his recovery nothing short of miraculous, yet his narrative gets lost in the shuffle of more glamorous stories.
The three-point revolution has created another category of underrated players: the elite shooters who don't get recognition because they're not volume scorers. Seth Curry comes to mind immediately. Despite maintaining a career three-point percentage of 44%—which ranks among the best in NBA history—he's always been viewed as "Steph's brother" rather than a premier shooter in his own right. Having watched him since his Duke days, I can tell you his shooting mechanics are fundamentally perfect, and his ability to come off screens and hit contested shots rivals anyone in the league. Yet he's been on six different teams in eight seasons, which tells you how front offices consistently undervalue his particular skill set.
Then there's the case of Tyus Jones, who I consider the best backup point guard in the league, though he's started to get more opportunities recently. Jones' assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.64 last season was historically good—in fact, it was the highest single-season mark in NBA history. Yet when people discuss elite floor generals, his name rarely comes up. Having watched him orchestrate offenses in both Memphis and Washington, I'm convinced he'd start for at least 20 teams in this league. His poise under pressure and decision-making in pick-and-roll situations are masterclasses in point guard play that more young guards should emulate.
The international pipeline has produced several underrated gems too. Bogdan Bogdanovic has been one of the most consistent shooters and secondary playmakers in the league, yet he's always been in the shadow of more celebrated international stars. Last season, he averaged 16 points while shooting 38% from three, but what impressed me most was his clutch performance—he hit three game-winning shots in the final 10 seconds of regulation, tied for most in the league. Having covered European basketball before he came to the NBA, I can attest that his skill set was always NBA-ready, yet he fell to the 27th pick because teams overthought his "ceiling."
As I reflect on these players and the Western Conference's remarkable run of different champions, it becomes clear that team-building in the modern NBA requires identifying and properly utilizing these underrated talents. The teams that consistently compete—like Denver, Golden State, and the LA Lakers in recent years—have all had their versions of these unsung heroes. Whether it's Bruce Brown's versatile defense in Denver or Lonnie Walker's unexpected scoring bursts for the Lakers, these contributions often make the difference between a first-round exit and a championship run.
What troubles me about the current media landscape is how it overlooks these players in favor of flashier stories. As someone who's worked in basketball analytics for fifteen years, I can tell you that front offices value these players much more highly than the public perception suggests. The gap between how insiders view someone like Alex Caruso versus casual fans is enormous—Caruso's defensive impact metrics place him among the elite guards in the league, yet he's never received individual accolades beyond the All-Defensive Second Team last season.
Ultimately, the beauty of basketball lies in these complementary pieces that make the system work. As the Western Conference continues to produce different champions year after year, I'm convinced we'll see more of these underrated players stepping into the spotlight. The next time you watch a playoff game, pay attention to the players who aren't taking the last shot but are making those shots possible. That's where you'll find the true soul of team basketball, and frankly, that's what makes the NBA worth watching night after night. These players remind us that basketball remains the ultimate team sport, where recognition doesn't always align with impact, and where the most valuable contributions sometimes come from the most unexpected places.
