NBA’s Most Underrated Players Heading into 2025/26

Some NBA players fly under the radar. It can be because they excel in the less flashy parts of the game, or perhaps they’re putting in good performances on a non-competitive team. 

Sometimes, it’s simply a case of being overshadowed by bigger names. Role players on the James Harden Rockets, for example, weren’t necessarily getting the acclaim they deserved.

As the new season approaches, here are a few players that fall into the underrated category: 

Payton Pritchard

How highly would Payton Pritchard be regarded if he’d spent the first few years of his career as a starter? Despite starting only three games last season, Pritchard had a higher VORP than Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, and Darius Garland.

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has made a shade under 40% of his threes for his career. He can create his own looks, and averages 6.2 assists per 100 possessions across his regular-season career. Even at 6’1, he puts up a fight on the defensive end. 

With Jayson Tatum ruled out for the year and Jrue Holiday in Portland, look for Pritchard to have a big year. He’s got 20 points per game upside. 

Desmond Bane

It’s been forgotten how good Desmond Bane is. He would’ve been an All-Star by now if he was in the Eastern Conference. Since his rookie year, he averages 20.2 points per game, while hitting 52.5% of his shots inside the arc and over 40% from three-point land.

His playmaking is better than most recognize, and he’s quietly an active defender, with a steal per game for his career. While he won’t be at the center of the spotlight in Orlando, he could finally get the praise he deserves if the Magic go on a deep postseason run.

It seemed like a high price to pay, but Orlando has landed one of the NBA’s most underrated players to pair with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Paul George

Paul George has been an easy guy to mock over the years. His first year in Philadelphia didn’t help.  It was ruined by injuries, he looked to have lost a step, and Joel Embiid barely played.

George still has plenty left in the tank, however. He was an All-Star in his final two seasons as a Clipper, and if he gets healthy, can be an overqualified third option for the 76ers. 

It’ll be interesting to see how George’s career is evaluated when he calls it a day. He’s been an All-NBA selection on six occasions, but there have been plenty of playoff disappointments. Entering his age-35 season, this is an opportunity to remind everyone how good he can be.

Jarrett Allen

Evan Mobley is probably a center long-term. The Cavaliers might move Jarrett Allen or Darius Garland in the next couple of years. Allen being traded was inevitably discussed during the latest postmortem, with Cleveland falling short in the postseason after an excellent regular season.

His game is still misunderstood. Allen led the league in true shooting percentage, and Cleveland was significantly better in his minutes. He’s also a reliable free throw shooter, which cannot be taken for granted with a rim-running center. 

The 2024/25 campaign wasn’t Allen’s best defensive season, but his impact on that end has perhaps been underappreciated because of Mobley’s presence. If he gets traded, we may see Allen in the Defensive Player of the Year mix.

Guerschon Yabusele

Guerschon Yabusele was a masterful signing from the Knicks. In Embiid’s absence, the Frenchman scored 11.3 points per game, shot 38% from three on decent volume, and the Sixers were 6.6 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.

He’s come a long way from the player that couldn’t break the rotation with the Celtics. A stint in Europe has done him good, and his continued high-level play for the French national team has been eye-catching, including a 36-point gem against Poland in this summer’s EuroBasket.

At his best as a power forward, but capable of playing as a smallball five, Yabusele is poised for a big year with the Knicks. 

Bradley Beal

The path from overrated to underrated is well-trodden. Bradley Beal has been through this journey, from a high-usage scorer on hopeless Wizards teams, to an underused sixth man for the Suns. Beal moved to the Clippers this season and has an opportunity to show he’s still got plenty to offer.

It’s not going to be 30 points per game like he was shoveling in during his Washington stint. Beal, though, should fit seamlessly into the role Norm Powell fulfilled last season, and he should see a leap in his efficiency with James Harden and Chris Paul taking turns to run the offense.

Jalen Duren

Like Allen, Jalen Duren is an effective, two-way center. He lacks the highlight-reel skills that make many modern big men popular, as he’s not breaking down anyone off the dribble, chucking up shots from the logo, or guarding opposing wings up and down the floor.

Duren, who possesses jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism, is a solid free-throw shooter, rim protector, and finisher. His screen-and-roll game with Cade Cunningham provides vertical spacing, and he’s a reliable finisher from floater range, having hit 55% of his short-middies last season.

The Pistons have other players who understandably garner more attention than Duren. That’s not going to change any time soon, and he’s probably playing near his ceiling, but there’s no question he’s an integral member of their long-term core.

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