NBA Rumors: The Most Underrated Players on the Market

With a free-agent class as weak as this one, the good players aren't going to be overlooked.

And so far, none have. Free-agent signings are starting to dwindle now, and the cream of the crop have all been taken. At this point, there's really not much left out on the market.

But there is if you know where to look. While none of the remaining players can be considered to be stars, there are at least four that deserve a little more attention for what they can bring to the table.

Who are these four, you ask?

Well, let's count 'em down.

4. Arron Afflalo, SG

Judging from what Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri had to say on Tuesday night (see NBA.com), it sounds like the Nuggets are close to re-signing Arron Afflalo, a restricted free agent.

Personally, I'm surprised there hasn't been more interest in Afflalo. While not a star, he is a pesky defender and a great spot-up shooter. He's not the kind of guy you want to build a team around, but he's a great complementary piece.

It is therefore a little shocking that offer sheets didn't come pouring in for Afflalo. He would have been a great fit for, say, the Chicago Bulls, but it looks like he's a lock to stay in Denver.

That will be the Nuggets' gain, and the rest of the NBA's loss.

3. Samuel Dalembert, C

There's a report out from MyFOX Houston that the Rockets are looking into making a deal with Samuel Dalembert, a nine-year veteran who spent last year with the Sacramento Kings.

It's about time. The market for Dalembert's services has been slow to develop, which is a shame seeing as how he brings some pretty good skills to the table.

While Dalembert isn't much of a scorer, he is a well above-average rebounder, and he was among the league leaders in blocked shots last season. He oftentimes resembles a rock when he's in the paint, but he's definitely solid when he's in there.

Dalembert's biggest problem this offseason is that he's been overlooked thanks to some of the other centers that he was sharing the market with. Tyson Chandler got a lot of attention, and so did Nene. Dalembert is not as good as either of them, but he's not helpless either.

2. DeShawn Stevenson, SG

DeShawn Stevenson has been around for a long time now, and he's not the kind of guy you want to trust with a lot of minutes. That's a bit of a problem seeing as how he's looking for more minutes.

Money and minutes aside, Stevenson is a guy who can do plenty of things when he's on the floor. He demonstrated during last year's playoffs that he can guard pretty much anyone, and he can knock 'em down beyond the arc. He's a specialist, but a damn good one.

Per ESPNDallas.com's Tim McMahon, there is room for Stevenson on the Dallas Mavericks for Stevenson to return, and they would no doubt love to have him back. He does, however, have "multiple offers" to mull over.

Assuming that's true, it's nice to know that at least a couple teams are hot after Stevenson.

1. Kris Humphries, F

The funny part is that I actually had to do a lot of digging to find out if Kris Humphries is still a free agent. Most of the stuff out there is concerned only with his personal life.

But he is, and CBSSports.com's Ken Berger tweeted on Wednesday that Humphries and the New Jersey Nets are just now starting to talk.

The Nets will be more than happy to have Humphries back. He's a good young player who really turned a corner last season, averaging over 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. He still has some things he can improve on, but there are a lot of things he already does well.

So why have Humphries at No. 1 in this little countdown?

Oddly enough, it's because I sympathize with the guy. Hoops fans have given him a lot of grief about being overrated simply because of his personal life. We forget that he was a pleasant surprise on the floor last season, and that he's a player with plenty of upside.

Hopefully, his sham marriage didn't ruin it all.