10 Most Underrated NBA Players Who Deserve More Recognition This Season

As I was watching the Western Conference Finals unfold this year, it struck me how we're witnessing history in the making. The Western Conference will have a different franchise in the NBA Finals for the sixth consecutive season, something that hasn't happened since the 1972-73 through 1977-78 seasons. That's nearly half a century ago! This remarkable parity got me thinking about all the underappreciated players who've been instrumental in creating this competitive landscape, yet rarely get the spotlight they deserve. Having covered the NBA for over a decade, I've developed a particular appreciation for these unsung heroes who consistently deliver without the fanfare of their superstar counterparts.

Let me start with a player I've been championing for years - Mike Conley of the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 36 years old, he's still orchestrating offenses with the precision of a seasoned conductor. What blows my mind is that despite being one of only 11 players in NBA history with over 15,000 points and 6,000 assists, he's never made an All-Star game in his 17-year career. That's criminal if you ask me. I remember watching him during the 2023 playoffs where he averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 43% from three-point range - numbers that would make most All-Stars proud. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and he's the glue that holds his team together in crunch time. The way he manages games reminds me of those classic point guards from the 70s era when team basketball truly flourished.

Then there's Derrick White of the Boston Celtics, who might be having the quietest All-Star caliber season I've ever witnessed. The guy is averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while being arguably the best perimeter defender in the league not named Jrue Holiday. I've lost count of how many game-winning blocks he's made this season alone. His defensive rating of 105.3 is among the top 15 in the entire NBA, yet you rarely hear his name in Defensive Player of the Year conversations. What I love about White's game is his incredible versatility - he can guard positions 1 through 3 effectively and has developed into a reliable three-point shooter, hitting 38.7% of his attempts this season. Players like White are exactly why we're seeing such parity in the Western Conference - they're the difference-makers who don't necessarily fill up stat sheets but impact winning in profound ways.

Speaking of impactful players, I've got to mention Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans. This guy is a defensive savant who routinely shuts down the league's best scorers. I watched him hold Luka Dončić to 5-of-18 shooting in their March matchup, and it was a masterclass in defensive positioning and anticipation. Jones is averaging just 11.2 points per game, which explains why he flies under the radar, but his defensive plus-minus of +3.4 ranks in the 97th percentile among forwards. The Pelicans have been one of those Western Conference teams benefiting from having such underrated talent, and Jones is a huge reason they've remained competitive in the brutal West. His development reminds me of how teams during that 1970s stretch found gems outside the lottery who became franchise cornerstones.

Another player who deserves more love is Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rightfully gets most of the attention, Williams has been spectacular in his own right. He's putting up 19.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting a ridiculous 54% from the field. What impresses me most about Williams is his efficiency in the mid-range - he's shooting 48.3% from 10-16 feet, which is elite for a wing player. I've noticed how the Thunder often run their offense through him in clutch situations, trusting his decision-making as much as their MVP candidate. This kind of depth is precisely what creates the conference parity we're seeing - when your "secondary" players could be primary options on other teams, you've got a recipe for sustained success.

Let's talk about Naz Reid for a moment, because I genuinely believe he's the best backup big man in basketball. The Timberwolves sixth man is averaging 13.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in just 24.2 minutes per game, with a true shooting percentage of 58.4%. When Karl-Anthony Towns was injured, Reid stepped into the starting lineup and averaged 18.4 points and 6.8 rebounds over a 14-game stretch. I've never seen a player of his size with such guard-like skills - he can put the ball on the floor, shoot from deep (36.3% from three), and finish through contact. Players like Reid are the secret weapons that separate good teams from great ones, and his development has been instrumental in Minnesota's rise in the Western Conference hierarchy.

I'd be remiss not to mention Trey Murphy III, who might be the most explosive shooter nobody talks about. The Pelicans wing is shooting 39.1% from three on nearly eight attempts per game, with many of those coming from well beyond the arc. What's incredible is that he's doing this while also providing switchable defense across multiple positions. I've charted his shots this season, and approximately 42% of his three-point makes have been from 26 feet or deeper - that's Stephen Curry range. In today's spacing-oriented NBA, having a player who commands that much defensive attention without needing plays called for him is invaluable. Murphy represents the modern role player who perfectly complements stars, much like how those 70s teams built around their cornerstone players with specific skill sets.

Then there's the case of Daniel Gafford, who joined the Dallas Mavericks mid-season and immediately transformed their interior defense. Since his arrival, the Mavericks' defensive rating improved from 18th to 12th in the league, and they've been one of the best teams in the Western Conference during that stretch. Gafford is shooting an absurd 73.7% from the field, which would be an NBA record if he qualified for the minutes requirement. I've never seen a player finish around the rim with such consistency - he's made 78.4% of his shots within three feet of the basket. His partnership with Luka Dončić has been particularly devastating, with the two connecting on countless alley-oops that demoralize opponents. Sometimes, it's these role players who perfectly complement superstars that make all the difference in playoff series.

I want to give some love to Aaron Gordon, who has somehow become underrated despite being a crucial piece for the defending champions. Gordon is averaging 13.9 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 56.4% from the field, but his value goes far beyond numbers. He's the ultimate glue guy - setting bone-crushing screens, defending the opponent's best player regardless of position, and making intelligent cuts that create easy baskets. I've watched him guard everyone from Nikola Jokić to Stephen Curry this season, and his versatility is a coach's dream. In many ways, Gordon embodies what made those 70s teams successful - players who embraced their roles completely without worrying about individual accolades.

Finally, I need to mention Immanuel Quickley, who has flourished since joining the Toronto Raptors. The young guard is averaging 18.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 39.5% from three-point range. What's impressed me most is his development as a playmaker - his assist percentage has jumped from 21.3% to 31.7% since the trade. Quickley plays with a pace and confidence that belies his experience, and I believe he has All-Star potential if given the opportunity to be a primary option. Players like Quickley represent the next wave of talent that will continue driving the parity we're seeing across the league.

Reflecting on these players and the historical context of six different Western Conference champions in six years, it's clear that depth and underrated talent are more valuable than ever. The NBA has evolved into a league where having multiple impactful players often trumps having one or two superstars, much like during that 1970s stretch of parity. These underappreciated contributors are the engine driving their teams' success, even if they rarely make the highlight reels or All-Star games. As we enjoy this era of competitive balance, let's not forget to appreciate the Mike Conleys and Herb Joneses of the world - the players who do the dirty work, make the winning plays, and ultimately shape the landscape of the modern NBA.