.png?w=1280)
Ranking the Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now
After taking a look at the most overrated players in the NBA right now, it's time to examine the opposite side of the association.
These are players who are outplaying their contracts by stuffing the stat sheet while contributing to winning, all while staying (mostly) out of the national spotlight. We're not talking hidden gems here, but rather players most NBA fans should be familiar with yet don't realize just how good they really are.
Like with the overrated list, we're paying close attention to salary and how a team performs with said player on the court (on/off rating).
These are the 10 most underrated players in the NBA today.
10. Naji Marshall, F, Dallas Mavericks
1 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $9.0 million
On/Off Rating: plus-2.1 (63rd percentile)
The three-year, $27 million contract that Naji Marshall signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024 looked like a bargain at the time. The 28-year-old has now more than doubled his scoring average with the Mavs while becoming a more efficient scorer overall.
Marshall hasn't developed into the knock down three-point shooter that we assumed he would be after making 38.7 percent of his outside shots with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2023-24, although he's become far more aggressive in his offensive attack.
The 6'6", 220-pound wing uses his size and strength to get downhill and into the teeth of the defense and is shooting a career-high 61.9 percent on two-pointers while averaging 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals this season.
A physical defender, Marshall uses his body well by creating contact without fouling, forcing opponents to alter their shots. His long arms create deflections often leading to transition opportunities, where Marshall ranks No. 6 in the NBA (min. 150 attempts) in field-goal percentage (62.2 percent), even above players like Jaylen Brown, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Maxey and other 2026 All-Stars.
If Dallas had better point guard play, we'd likely see Marshall's three-point accuracy rise as well, perhaps the only thing holding him back from being a full-time starter.
9. Jaylon Tyson, G/F, Cleveland Cavaliers
2 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $3.5 million
On/Off Rating: plus-3.1 (68th percentile)
Mostly out of the rotation during his rookie season, Jaylon Tyson has exploded onto the scene in Year 2 for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 6'6" wing went from shooting 34.5 percent from three as a rookie to 46.7 percent now, good for third in the NBA only behind Luke Kennard and teammate Sam Merrill.
Unlike Kennard and Merrill, Tyson's game doesn't resemble that of a one-dimensional shooter. He's strong and athletic enough to break down a defender off the dribble and score at all three levels while also mixing in some timely passing. Tyson looks more like an athlete who happens to be good at basketball more than a basketball player who happens to be athletic. This makes sense, as his brother Jordyn could be the first wide receiver taken in the NFL Draft this year.
In his 35 starts this season, Tyson is averaging 14.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 52.9 percent overall and 47.6 percent from three.
The 23-year-old is now coming off the bench following the James Harden trade, although the Cavs need to make it a concerted effort to make sure Tyson is getting to operate with the ball in his hands and not just becoming a stand-still shooter.
8. Aaron Gordon, F, Denver Nuggets
3 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $22.8 million
On/Off Rating: plus-13.3 (97th percentile)
This likely isn't the first underrated list you've seen Aaron Gordon on, and that's OK. Now 12 years into his career and without a single All-Star or All-NBA appearance, Gordon still doesn't get the credit he deserves.
The 30-year-old is averaging a career-high 17.7 points per game this season to go along with 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.7 steals while shooting 50.9 percent overall and 40.0 percent from three.
Gordon is the perfect role player. With three-time MVP Nikola Jokić and All-Star point guard Jamal Murray absorbing most of the credit in Denver, so much of what they do is made possible due to the unselfishness of Gordon.
His strong 6'8" frame has long taken on the toughest defensive assignments time and time again. Gordon rarely turns the ball over (1.0) or gets into foul trouble (1.7) and has developed into a terrific floor-spacer after making just 32.3 percent of his threes during his first 10 years.
He has the highest swing rating of any player on this list, and the Nuggets have struggled in games Gordon has missed this season. Denver is 17-6 with a healthy Gordon, yet have fallen to just 19-16 overall when he's sidelined.
He may never make an All-Star team, yet Gordon has enjoyed an incredibly successful NBA career.
.png?w=256)
7. Josh Hart, G/F, New York Knicks
4 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $19.5 million
On/Off Rating: plus-0.6 (56th percentile)
Tape of Josh Hart should be shown to every youth, high school and college basketball team in America. He impacts winning in every way imaginable despite being the fifth-highest paid player on his own team.
Hart is the NBA's best rebounder for his size. He's the only player 6'5" or shorter to register a total rebound percentage of 13.0 percent or higher (13.6 percent) and nearly averaged a double-double a year ago (13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds) despite his height.
In 32 starts this season, Hart is giving the New York Knicks 12.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 50.3 percent overall and 42.4 percent from three. His 40.4 percent from deep overall this year is a career best.
New York is 23-9 when Hart starts this year, compared to just 8-6 when Mike Brown wrongfully brought him off the bench.
Whether it's his activity level, multi-positional defense, spirit-breaking rebounds or unselfish offense, Hart plays a style of basketball that all teams need to win.
6. Ty Jerome, PG, Memphis Grizzlies
5 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $8.7 million
On/Off Rating: plus-4.3 (74th percentile)
Injuries have cost Ty Jerome most of his 2025-26 season to this point, although his recent return to the court has proven that his breakout year with the Cleveland Cavaliers was no fluke.
Jerome finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2024-25, with a 43.9 percent mark from three good for third overall in the NBA. Now in a larger role with the Memphis Grizzlies, Jerome is an offensive machine when given the opportunity.
The 6'5" guard is averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in just 20.6 minutes a game while making 61.4 percent of his two-pointers and 39.5 percent of his threes.
Jerome is giving the Grizzlies a whopping 33.7 points and 9.9 assists per 75 possessions. For comparison, Luka Dončić is the only guard in the NBA who comes close to these figures, with 33.7 points and 8.7 assists per 75 possessions for the Los Angeles Lakers.
A three-year, $27.6 million contract was a huge bargain for the Grizzlies and a deal even the second-apron Cavs should have kept Jerome on.
While not a great defender, Jerome is finally getting the chance to show what he can do in a major offensive role.
5. Toumani Camara, F, Portland Trail Blazers
6 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $2.2 million
On/Off Rating: plus-5.0 (77th percentile)
This version of the Portland Trail Blazers was supposed to be built off of lottery picks like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Instead, it's a 52nd overall selection that's been the stabilizing force in the starting lineup.
Despite nearly going undrafted in 2023, Toumani Camara has been a full-time starter for the last two-and-a-half years in Portland and has developed into one of the best defenders in the entire NBA.
He started to get some recognition last season by making the All-Defensive Second Team and has been even better this year on both sides of the ball. Camara is up to 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game while making 37.6 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes.
Camara uses his 6'7", 230-pound frame to guard nearly every position. He's strong enough to knock opponents off balance without fouling, gets his hands in passing lanes and even challenges big men at the rim.
The 25-year-old agreed to a four-year, $81 million extension that should age extremely well for Portland, taking up just 10.9 percent of the 2026-27 salary cap.
4. Peyton Watson, G/F, Denver Nuggets
7 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $4.3 million
On/Off Rating: plus-2.1 (63rd percentile)
For years, the Denver Nuggets were desperate for any member of their young core to step up and become a reliable rotation member. Peyton Watson has done more than answer the call this season, becoming an important starter for a Nuggets team with championship hopes.
After averaging 6.8 points on 32.8 percent shooting during his first three years in the NBA, Watson has now given Denver 17.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals in his 39 starts while shooting 50.4 percent overall and 43.1 percent from three.
Losing Michael Porter Jr. in a trade was supposed to hurt the Nuggets' offense, yet the surprising play of Watson has helped carry Denver to the No. 1 scoring attack in the NBA (120.9 rating).
At 6'8", Watson is a big, long, versatile defender who can guard a number of positions. At age 23, he'll also be pricey for the Nuggets to keep as a restricted free agent this summer after the two sides failed to reach an extension last fall.
Watson isn't the first (or second, or third) name we think of when the Nuggets come up, yet his breakout this season is a big reason why the team has gone an impressive 10-6 in games that Nikola Jokić has missed this year.
3. Ajay Mitchell, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder
8 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $3.0 million
On/Off Rating: plus-9.1 (89th percentile)
In case the defending champions needed more help this season, Ajay Mitchell decided to become one of the best reserve guards in the NBA seemingly overnight.
A former two-way player who signed a standard deal with the Thunder last summer, Mitchell's three-year, $8.7 million deal may be the best non-rookie contract in the entire NBA.
The 23-year-old is averaging 14.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, primarily as a backup. In nine starts he's looked like one of the best shooters in the NBA, knocking down 46.7 percent of his threes while giving OKC 16.6 points and 4.1 assists.
This is all coming after Mitchell played a minimal role for the Thunder during their run to a championship last season. If you squint hard enough, there's some Jalen Brunson in Mitchell's game with his ability to break down defenders off the dribble, get into the teeth of the defense and either hit a pull-up jumper or finish around the help that's coming.
Mitchell already knows how to use his body to pick up contact and get to the free-throw line where he's a 87.0 percent shooter this season. He can give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams real breaks, allowing them to conserve energy for another long playoff run.
With three players on a max contract moving forward, Mitchell and his $2.9 million salary for next season (1.7 percent of the cap) have been a godsend for the Thunder.
2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G/F, Atlanta Hawks
9 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $15.1 million
On/Off Rating: plus-3.4 (70th percentile)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker was a well-liked reserve during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, yet was averaging a modest 9.4 points per game off the bench. A four-year, $60.6 million contract was more than the Wolves wanted to pay, which led to a sign-and-trade deal with the Atlanta Hawks.
Now, the 27-year-old wing has been one of the best surprises in the NBA.
Alexander-Walker is averaging more points per game this year than Trae Young did before his trade to the Washington Wizards, as he's giving the Hawks 20.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 37.3 percent from three in his 51 starts.
Much of this production has been overshadowed by the Young trade, Jalen Johnson's All-Star season and now the deal for Jonathan Kuminga.
For someone who's scoring more this season than Young, Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, De'Aaron Fox and other former/current All-Star guards, Alexander-Walker remains one of the most underrated players in the NBA.
1. Ryan Rollins, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
10 of 10
2025-26 Salary: $4.0 million
On/Off Rating: plus-7.4 (85th percentile)
NBA fans outside of Milwaukee or Toledo may not be very familiar with Ryan Rollins. The former MAC star turned starting point guard for the Bucks will make sure you know his name soon, however.
A second-round pick in 2022 who's been traded, waived and played on a two-way contract, Rollins has become Milwaukee's third-leading scorer and one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA.
The 23-year-old is averaging 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals while making 42.0 percent of his threes for the Bucks this season. No other player in the NBA has matched these numbers this year.
Rollins has been crucial to the efficiency of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Bucks have a net rating of minus-1.8 with their two-time MVP on the floor without Rollins, a number that jumps to plus-7.2 when the pair play together.
In a time where Milwaukee needed members of its young core to step up after Damian Lillard's exit, Rollins has been one of the better guards in the East this season. He's also become (for now) the most underrated player in the entire NBA.
.png?w=480)
