Five underrated players leading into 2023-24 NBA season

Nic Claxton (YouTube)

The National Basketball Association is filled with numerous superstars. Here are five players who are trying to make their mark as household names, but at this point in their careers, could be considered underrated.

5) Anfernee Simons

With Damian Lillard now with the Milwaukee Bucks, you could make the argument that Anfernee Simons of Longwood, Florida is now the face of the Portland Trail Blazers. Problem is with Portland being in the Pacific Northwest, he just does not get as much national exposure. In 2022-23, Simons was very productive. He averaged 21.1 points per game, 4.1 assists per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, a field goal percentage of .447, free throw percentage of .894, and three-point percentage of .377.

4) Devin Vassell

Heading into the season all the talk in San Antonio is about the number one pick, Victor Wembanyama. However, for the Spurs to be effective and generate wins this season, Wembanyama will need a strong supporting cast. That is where shooting guard Devin Vassell of Lawrenceville, Georgia comes in. The Spurs’s first round pick from the 2020 NBA Draft averaged 18.5 points per game last year. However he was only on the court for 38 games because of a knee injury.

3) Jalen Williams

The shooting guard from Denver, Colorado was on the NBA All-Rookie team in 2022-23. This past season, the Santa Clara product averaged 14.1 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game, with a field goal percentage of .521, three-point percentage of .356, and a free throw percentage of .812 for one of the league’s rising teams, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Williams is expected to continue his brilliant form this season. The 2022 draft first-round number 12 pick is widely touted to have a prolific season with OKC fans and neutrals alike willing to take a punt on him having shown promise in his first season.

Recognizing the silliness of bettors to back the small forward in games, sportsbooks have a series of prop betting options on the former Santa Clara man.

Beyond the prop bets that come with high odds, there is an exhaustive list of bonuses designed for players who like to take a punt on the NBA irrespective of their expertise.

2) Cameron Johnson

The power forward from Moon Township, Pennsylvania spent his time last season with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets. He was part of the package that went from Phoenix to Brooklyn in the Kevin Durant trade. While Mikal Bridges (who also came to Brooklyn from Phoenix) received the majority of the spotlight for the Nets, Johnson’s statistical line deserved praise too. He averaged 15.5 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, a field goal percentage of .470, three point percentage of .404, and free throw percentage of .842.

 1) Nic Claxton

You might be surprised a player number one on the list plays for Brooklyn, one of the more high profile teams in the NBA. Ever since Brooklyn got rid of the big three, the supporting cast for the Nets have been trying to make a name for themselves. Part of that group is center Nic Claxton of Greenville, South Carolina. At 6’11”, 215 pounds, Claxton averaged 12.6 points per game, 9.2 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game. Even though his point per game total could be a bit higher, he is starting to be considered as very reliable. In 2022-23, Claxton had a field goal percentage of .705, which led the NBA.

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