As I was watching the Golden State Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies last week, I found myself completely captivated by Jonathan Kuminga's defensive rotations—the kind of subtle brilliance that rarely makes highlight reels but consistently wins games. This got me thinking about the countless players across the league whose contributions fly under the radar, the ones who don't get All-Star votes but absolutely deserve more recognition. Having followed the NBA religiously for over fifteen years, both as a fan and analyst, I've developed a particular appreciation for these hidden gems who form the backbone of successful teams. Today, I want to spotlight ten of the most underrated players currently shaping the league in ways you might have missed, starting with someone who embodies this concept perfectly despite not even being in the NBA yet.
When discussing underrated talent, we must look beyond the NBA to international prospects like Quentin Millora-Brown, whose recent social media post about eagerly awaiting his chance to wear a Gilas Pilipinas jersey speaks volumes about his untapped potential. I've been tracking his development since his college days, and his defensive IQ and rebounding instincts are precisely what modern NBA teams need off the bench. At 6'10" with a 7'2" wingspan, his physical tools are undeniable, but it's his understanding of positioning that truly stands out—he averaged 9.2 rebounds in just 26 minutes per game during his final college season, numbers that would translate well to the professional level. What fascinates me about players like Millora-Brown is that they represent the next wave of global talent that front offices are still sleeping on, the kind of low-risk, high-reward acquisitions that can transform a team's second unit overnight.
Moving to established NBA players, I've always been baffled by how little recognition Alex Caruso receives outside of Chicago. Sure, Bulls fans understand his value, but nationally, he's still often viewed as just an energy guy off the bench. Having re-watched nearly every Bulls game last season, I can tell you Caruso's defensive impact rivals that of Marcus Smart in his prime—he held opponents to 41.2% shooting when defending, one of the league's best marks among perimeter defenders. His net rating of +5.8 consistently places him among the top 30 players in the entire league, yet you'll rarely hear his name in national media discussions about elite defenders. What I appreciate most about Caruso is his almost psychic ability to read passing lanes; he averaged 1.7 steals last season despite playing just 28 minutes per game, a testament to his incredible anticipation.
Then there's T.J. McConnell, who might be the most consistently disrespected player in the league. I've lost count of how many times I've seen casual fans dismiss him as just another backup point guard, but anyone who actually watches Pacers games knows he's the engine that keeps their second unit humming. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.1-to-1 last season was among the league's best, and he shot a surprising 54.2% from the field despite taking mostly contested mid-range jumpers. What makes McConnell special, in my view, is his old-school approach to the game—he plays with a pace and control that's become increasingly rare in today's uptempo NBA. I'd take him over half the starting point guards in the league for certain situations, particularly in playoff games where every possession matters.
Speaking of playoff performers, I'm convinced that Nicolas Claxton's development has been overshadowed by the constant drama in Brooklyn. Having studied his defensive tape extensively, I believe he has DPOY potential if given the right system. Last season, he contested 14.3 shots per game at the rim while committing just 3.2 fouls per 36 minutes—that's elite defensive discipline for a player his age. His vertical spacing as a lob threat is something I don't think even the Nets fully utilize; he finished 78% of his attempts within three feet of the basket, yet he averaged just 6.5 field goal attempts per game. If I were running a team, I'd be trying to pry him away from Brooklyn immediately, as I'm convinced he's just scratching the surface of his potential.
Herbert Jones in New Orleans represents another fascinating case study in underrated two-way impact. What strikes me about Jones is how he manages to be everywhere defensively without ever seeming to force the action—he averaged 1.6 steals and 0.6 blocks last season while typically guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. His defensive rating of 106.3 placed him in the 94th percentile among forwards, yet he made just over $1.7 million last season, representing what I consider one of the best value contracts in the entire league. Having spoken with several NBA scouts about Jones, I'm not alone in believing he could develop into a Kawhi Leonard-lite type defender if he continues refining his offensive game.
What fascinates me about these players is how they exemplify the changing nature of value in the modern NBA. Teams are finally starting to recognize that winning requires more than just superstar talent—it demands the connective tissue players who do the little things that don't always show up in traditional box scores. As someone who's consulted with NBA front offices on player evaluation, I can tell you that the metrics used to assess these "hidden gems" have evolved dramatically. We're now looking at things like defensive gravity, screen assists, and hockey assists—the subtle contributions that traditional analysis often misses but that winning basketball depends on. The ten players I've highlighted, from international prospects like Millora-Brown to established NBA contributors like Caruso and McConnell, represent this new paradigm of value assessment.
In my years covering the league, I've found that the most successful organizations understand that championship rosters are built not just through star power but through identifying and developing these underappreciated talents. What separates contenders from pretenders is often the quality of their rotation players—the ones who may not make All-Star games but who consistently make winning plays. As the game continues to evolve, I'm convinced we'll see even more emphasis placed on these multidimensional role players who can impact the game in numerous ways. The hidden gems I've discussed today aren't just interesting footnotes—they're essential components of modern team construction, and keeping an eye on their development will give you valuable insights into which teams are positioned for long-term success.
