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Ranking the NBA’s 10 most underrated players in 2022-23

By Holden Walter-Warner

Apr 30, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) in the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles (2) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (12) in the first half at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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T.J. McConnell, NBA(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
T.J. McConnell, NBA(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. F Larry Nance Jr., New Orleans Pelicans

Sorry, did you forget about Larry Nance Jr., who has been quietly going about his business for years in the NBA? The wing is a few weeks from turning 30 years old, but he’s an essential player in the league, competing on his fourth team.

Nance followed his father’s footsteps and made it to the NBA in 2015, a late first-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. He quickly established himself as a promising player, averaging 5.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a rookie while largely coming off the bench.

Since then, Nance has bounced around the NBA, and traded on three separate occasions. His stints have included time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers, only once starting more than half of the games he played in.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNO/status/1598154589957750786

In February, Nance was part of the deal that sent CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery almost immediately, however, and played in only nine regular season games with the team.

Nance’s injury wasn’t as widely covered as that of Zion Williamson, for good reason. But his return to regular action deserves more attention.

Coming off the bench exclusively, Nance is averaging 9.4 points per game, one of the highest scoring averages of his career. He’s also shooting well from both two and three, though the latter is a limited sample size of less than one attempt per game. His effective field goal percentage is 69.7 percent.

Being one of the most effective shooters in the NBA has its advantages when looking at the advanced stats. Without starting a game, Nance ranks 15th in the NBA in win shares per 48 minutes.

Offensive efficiency is just the beginning for Nance, though. He’s also a league leader in various defensive categories, including defensive rating and defensive plus/minus. He’s an all-around weapon for the Pelicans off the bench.

dark. Next. 12 Stars that will likely change teams by next season

The versatility and athleticism of Larry Nance Jr. is a secret to NBA fans who have forgotten about him, but New Orleans’ fans are not among those people, instead valuing the most underrated player in the league today.