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The 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season

By Michael Shearer

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 20: Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers passes the ball in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 20: Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers passes the ball in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 26: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the New Orleans Pelicans pulls a rebound down against Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of their game November 26, 2021 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement; NBA Players. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: C – Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans

Jonas Valanciunas was a serviceable center in Toronto for several years but was traded to Memphis in 2019 and exploded. He was easily the best player on Memphis last year, even more so than Ja Morant, and his trade to the Pelicans for Steven Adams was a bit of a surprise.

Valanciunas is averaging a quietly efficient 18.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, as well as 2.4 assists. Anticipating playing next to Zion, Jonas worked on his long ball all offseason, and it’s paid off: he’s shooting 46% from three on a career-high 2.3 attempts per game.

Valanciunas is a surprisingly heady passer and cutter and can finish with an array of floaters and turnaround jumpers in the mid-range. He’s also adept at just steamrolling littler guys down-low for easy lay-ups and dunks.

The Grizz traded Jonas for the defensively-minded Adams hoping to make room for Morant’s emerging talents and further improve a strong defense. Instead, the Grizzlies now have the worst defense in the league.

A lot of that is due to hot opponent shooting this season for the Grizz. But it does illustrate that Valanciunas is a better defender than people realize, and his replacement Adams has done nothing to improve that side of the team.

He’s a huge body that eats up space and gobbles up defensive rebounds. Although he isn’t a lockdown defender by any means, he plays to his strengths.

Jonas has long toiled in obscurity, but his steady presence and all-around offensive game deserve more recognition.

That’s it! Let me know in the comments which NBA players you think I missed.

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