Most Underrated Player On Each Lottery Team

Warning: If you’re going to sleep on these guys, do so at your own risk.

While underrated is certainly a relative term and players can quickly go from being undervalued to overrated and vice versa, I’ve done my best to select the most commonly underrated players on each lottery team.

Milwaukee: Brandon Knight

Knight likely won’t ever score 55 points in an NBA game, but there’s reason to believe the Bucks got the better Brandon in their sign-and-swap deal last summer (Brandon Jennings for Knight, Khris Middleton and Viacheslav Kravtsov). In 2013-14, the 22-year-old Knight averaged 17.9 points (42.2 FG%, 32.5 3PT%, 80.2 FT%), 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 2.6 turnovers in 33 minutes per game for the basement-dwelling Bucks.

Meanwhile Jennings, who’s two years older, contributed 15.5 points (37.3 FG%, 33.7 3PT%, 75.1 FT%), 7.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.7 turnovers in 34 minutes for the disappointing Detroit Pistons. It’s not Jennings’ fault that now former GM Joe Dumars didn’t deliver Detroit any reliable outside shooters to help spread the floor offensively; still, he simply doesn’t appear to have the game-managing ability required in point guards who aren’t exploding to the rim like Russell Westbrook.

But Knight does. For being on the worst team in the league, Knight did an impressive job of running the show in Milwaukee. He averaged career-highs in points, assists, rebounds and steals, as well as field-goal and free-throw percentages. He’s had a few extremely unfortunate moments on the defensive end that are likely to forever show up in YouTube searches of his name, but if the 6-3, 189-pound point guard continues to progress he has a chance to develop into one of the league’s better game-managers.

Philadelphia: Tony Wroten

“Yung Smoove” [Thaddeus Young] could have easily earned the recognition here given that he’s been underrated for his entire career, and James Anderson is definitely underappreciated, but ultimately Wroten gets the nod. Wroten (25th overall, 2012) was acquired in late August from the Grizzilies in exchange for a future second-round pick and a trade exception. In 72 games this season, he averaged 13.0 points (42.7 FG%, 21.3 3PT%, 64.1 FT%) 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 25 minutes per game.

Everyone remembers Michael Carter-Williams’ near triple- and quadruple-double in his NBA debut (22 points 12 assists, 9 steals and 7 rebounds) and the Sixers’ win over Miami, but far fewer people recall that two weeks later Wroten became the first player in league history to record a triple-double in his first career start (18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 123-117 overtime win vs. Houston).

While MCW averaged 16.7 points (40.5 FG%, 26.4 3PT%, 70.3 FT%), 6.3 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 0.6 blocks and 3.5 turnovers in 35 minutes per game (70 games), Wroten, who’s actually a year and a half younger than MCW, put up comparable stats during his 16 starts – 17.8 points (43.2 FG%, 28.6 3PT%, 55.1 FT%), 5.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks and 3.2 turnovers in 34 minutes. He’s not a great shooter by any stretch of the imagination and his stats are inflated by the Sixers’ league-leading pace of play, but the young lefty is an excellent driver and finisher around the cup. He has a lot of improving to do if he’s going to stick in the league, but his second NBA season was definitely a successful one.

Orlando: Kyle O’Quinn

In this his second season, O’Quinn posted averages of 6.2 points (50.1 FG%, 68.7 FT%), 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.1 turnovers in 17 minutes per game, but he’s another guy whose contributions don’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet.

O’Quinn reveled in his role as garbage man and enforcer on the inside off the bench, and his hard-nosed, do-whatever-it-takes style of play makes it likely that the Magic will opt to pick up his contract for the 2014-15 season.

In 19 starts, O’Quinn contributed 9.7 points (52.6 FG%, 62.9 FT%), 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.6 turnovers in 24 minutes per game. If he’s able to add a little to his game while continuing to display the willingness to play within himself and his role, it’s increasingly likely O’Quinn will have several suitors if the Magic don’t extend him.

Utah: Alec Burks

The 22-year-old Burks (12th pick in 2011) appeared in 78 games during 2013-14 and had his best season, averaging 14.0 points (45.7 FG%, 35.0 3PT%, 74.8 FT%), 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.9 turnovers in 28 minutes per game.

With numbers like that and a real lack of talent at shooting guard in Utah, it’s fair to wonder why Burks only started 16 games, especially when his numbers improved in games which he started (14.2 points on 48.0 FG%, 37.5 3PT%, 80.4 FT% to go along with 3.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.7 turnovers in 32 minutes per game).

Entering his third year in 2014-15, he has to be considered one of the favorites to have a breakout year if he’s able to slide into the starting five and carve himself out 30+ minutes a night.

Boston: Kris Humphries

Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass have both been underrated for several years, but I’ve got to give Humphries some love here. He made $12 million this year, which would seem to go against the idea that he’s underrated, but he’s about to take a drastic pay cut on his next deal (which re-establishes his underrated status).

Much of his being underrated has to do with his most recent contract, which he’s obviously not worth, and the whole Kim Kardashian ordeal (he was known as a reality star bad guy and not the solid player he has become), but Humphries is a very effective rebounder off the bench, and actually had a solid season for the Celtics, averaging 8.4 points (50.1 FG%, 81.3 FT%), 5.9 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 turnovers in 20 minutes per game (69 games). If he lands with the right team he’ll have a bounce-back year next season in terms of receiving the recognition he deserves.

Los Angeles: Jodie Meeks

Jordan Hill was in the running after putting together a solid season in 2013-14 (9.7 points on 54.9 FG%, 7.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 21 minutes per game). In 32 starts, he averaged 13.0 points along with 1.1 blocks in 25 minutes per game, which in my opinion should have earned him extended playing time on the defensively challenged Lakers.

But this one goes to the 41st overall pick in 2009—Jodie Meeks. Meeks appeared in 77 games this year and averaged 15.7 points (46.3 FG%, 40.1 3PT%, 85.7 FT%) 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 turnovers in 33 minutes per game.

Most people don’t know that Meeks has the University of Kentucky record for most points scored in a game (54 in 2009 vs. Tennessee). Meeks is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, and his willingness to work on the defensive end despite being an undersized shooting guard has helped him become a guy who’s likely to have multiple suitors this offseason.

Sacramento: Ray McCallum

McCallum’s stats during his rookie season aren’t anything that jumps out at you – 6.2 points (37.7 FG%, 37.3 3PT%, 74.4 FT%), 2.7 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.9 turnovers in 20 minutes per game (45 games). However, the 6-3, 190-pound guard turned it on at the end of the year when Isaiah Thomas was sidelined by injury.

In 10 starts, the 2013 36th overall pick averaged 13.8 points (36.5 FG%, 35.7 3PT%, 63.6 FT%), 7.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.9 turnovers in 45 minutes per game. While he needs to continue to improve his shot along with the rest of his game, his athleticism and ability to run the offense towards the end of the year were extremely promising. It looks like the Kings got a real steal in the second round of 2013. He may find himself playing a larger role if Sacramento doesn’t re-sign Thomas and/or bring in another point guard via the draft or free agency.

Detroit: Will Bynum

Historically speaking, Chauncey Billups is about as underrated as they come. But in terms of the present, Bynum is the guy. In his seventh NBA season, the journeyman guard averaged 8.7 points and 3.9 assists in 19 minutes per game.

Bynum brings a lot of energy off the bench and is always pressuring the ball defensively. In addition, more often than not, he is out-hustling and outworking the guy he’s matched up against.

During his tenure with Detroit (2008-present), he became the first Piston since Isiah Thomas to record 20 assists in a game and set the team record for most points scored in a single quarter- with 26 in the fourth quarter of a Detroit W.

Cleveland: Matt Dellavedova

As far as All-Stars go, Luol Deng is undeniably underrated, but Dellavedova is too unknown and underrated to be passed over here. The undrafted shooting guard from Saint Mary’s averaged 4.7 points (41.2 FG%, 36.8 3PT%, 79.2 FT%), 2.6 assists, 1.7 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.8 turnovers per game in 18 minutes per game (72 games) during his rookie campaign, and it’s likely that the Cavs will opt to pick up his contract for 2014-15.

Dellavedova had some really solid moments for Cleveland in his rookie year, and the team played some of their best basketball when he was forced to step up and play a bigger role due to injuries. If he can continue to improve he could become one of the undrafted diamonds in the rough who makes a name for himself in the NBA.

New Orleans: Austin Rivers

Here, I explained in great detail why I believe Jrue Holiday is the single most underrated player in the league, but instead of reiterating the same information here, I’m going to discuss another underrated Pelicans guard.

While Tyreke Evans is largely slept on by the talking heads, and Anthony Morrow may not receive the attention the younger Jodie Meeks will from teams looking to add a sharpshooter off the bench, Austin Rivers earns the award for most underrated Pelican.

Rivers (10th pick in 2012) was labeled a bust after a rough rookie year in the NBA, but made serious strides in his sophomore season. While he still only managed to shoot 40.5 percent from the field in 2013-14, he averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.1 turnovers in 19 minutes per game.

He still has much to improve, but this year he displayed improvement in basically every area imaginable, dispelling the notion that he’s just a chucker. If he’s able to move ahead of Brian Roberts in the rotation and receive more minutes, he has a legitimate chance of breaking out in 2014-15.

Denver: Timofey Mozgov

Due to the poster he’s in which features Blake Griffin and the unfortunate urban dictionary addition of the term Mozgov’d, Timofey doesn’t really get credit for being a solid backup center.

During the 2013-14 season, the fourth-year Russian big man averaged 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 0.8 assists and 1.5 turnovers in 22 minutes per game.

Due to the logjam the Nuggets have at center (Mozgov, JaVale McGee, J.J. Hickson), it’s unclear whether all three will still be with the team when training camp rolls around. Still, Mozgov has continued to improve each year he’s been in the league, and despite being 27 years old I expect more of the same in that regard next year.

New York: Pablo Prigioni

Pesky Prigioni is certainly not Pablo Sanchez from Backyard Basketball, but he is an extremely underrated backup point guard and supreme scrapper on a team that was severely lacking in that department.

The 37-year-old sophomore from Argentina (who was referred to as “pigeon boy” during a game I attended in his rookie season) posted averages of 3.8 points (46.1 FG%, 46.4 3PT%, 91.7 FT%), 3.5 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.9 turnovers in 19 minutes per game, and his hustle has made him a fan-favorite during his first two years in New York.

It could be argued that the Knicks would have been better off in 2013-14 starting Prigioni over Raymond Felton, who had just an awful season (9.7 points on 39.5 FG%, 31.8 3PT%, 72.1 FT%, 5.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.0 turnovers in 31 minutes per game). Meanwhile, in 27 starts, Prigioni averaged 3.9 assists to only 0.9 turnovers in 24 minutes.

Minnesota: Gorgui Dieng

Dieng was drafted 21st overall in 2013 by Utah, but was traded to Minnesota along with Shabazz Muhammad for Trey Burke. He spent the overwhelming majority of his rookie year on the bench and only managed to average 4.8 points (49.8 FG%, 63.4 FT%), 5.0 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.9 turnovers in 14 minutes per game.

However, when called upon to replace the injured Nikola Pekovic, Dieng made the case that recently retired coach Rick Adelman should have given him a more consistent and demanding role, contributing 12.2 points (50.0 FG%, 70.6 FT%), 12.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.8 turnovers in 32 minutes per game during his 15 starts.

Despite the fact that he was the defensive anchor of NCAA champion Louisville, he was considerably underrated during his rookie campaign. Given Dieng’s ability to rebound and his high basketball IQ, I expect him to have a solid and lengthy NBA career as long as he’s able to stay healthy.

Phoenix: P.J. Tucker

The 29-year-old small forward from Texas averaged 9.4 points on fewer than eight shots per game to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 turnovers in 31 minutes per game during his third NBA season. However, nothing about these numbers indicates what he contributed to the Suns this year.

His hard-nosed defense, hustle and willingness to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor helped catapult Phoenix into playoff contention during a season in which they were projected to be among the worst teams in the league. He also greatly improved his corner 3-pointer, and due to his Bruce Bowen-like game and individual ascension, he’s likely to draw interest from a lot of teams in free agency this summer.