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

6. F Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

Ranking Aaron Gordon on this list was challenging, since he may be the best individual player in the group. Playing alongside a perennial MVP winner, however, Gordon’s exploits can sometimes be overlooked.

Perhaps he’s underrated because the prodigious talent that made him the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft never fully translated to the pros, except in the Slam Dunk Contest. Maybe it’s because Nikola Jokic rightfully deserves a lot of attention, as do Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Shortly after Gordon requested a trade from the Orlando Magic, he was shipped to the Denver Nuggets in March 2021. Despite moving to a more talented team, he retained a spot in the starting lineup.

At 27 years old, Gordon is suddenly having a career year. He’s averaging 16.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, both hovering near career highs. He’s also on the verge of averaging a block per game for the first time.

Gordon’s most obvious improvement this season has come behind the arc. He’s hitting 39.2 percent of his threes, the highest mark of his career. That has helped him space out the floor better when he’s on the court, allowing his teammates to become more lethal as well.

Gordon is also crashing the offensive boards harder than ever. He’s averaging 2.5 offensive boards per game, easily the best volume of his career.

Calling Gordon underrated is sure to ruffle some feathers. This is a former lottery pick who has been a full-time starter in the NBA for years and is arguably one of the best players for a team with NBA Finals aspirations. That criticism would be fair.

But he’s having an incredible season, one the national media doesn’t seem to be talking about. That’s the definition of being underrated.