1. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
After being selected with the 9th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Avdija started his career with Washington where things did not go as quite planned. The Israeli forward went on to spend four years in DC and then was traded this past offseason to Portland.
Deni struggled to put up consistent numbers in his time with Wizards and both sides agreed it was time for a change. Boy did that change help. Avdija has turned into one of the top players on a Trail Blazers team that does not receive much national or media attention at all.
Avdija averages around 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists for Portland. Although the Blazers are currently in a rebuild mode, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, Avdija certainly should be a prioritized piece for this franchise moving forward.
2. Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers
When most people think of the Clippers, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard come to mind, which leaves Norman Powell to go under the radar. Powell, now in his 10th NBA season, is having his best overall season by far.
With Leonard's injuries, Powell has been the underrated second option for the Clips this season. What people will be shocked to hear is that Powell is currently leading the Clippers in points per game, averaging 24 a night and shooting almost 50% from the field. This is his best average throughout his career and has also became a defensive pest averaging around a steal per game.
Los Angeles currently finds themselves in a playoff position, but the guy that hasn't gotten the credit that he deserves quite yet is Norman Powell. Now on his third NBA team, Powell has found a home in LA and should be considered for an All-Star reserve spot as well.
3. Miles "Deuce" McBride, New York Knicks
Although his averages aren't nearly as high as the previous two players listed, McBride deserves a lot more credit from the NBA world. On a New York Knicks team that is nationally covered all the time, Deuce often goes overlooked.
It's hard to stand out when the Knicks starting lineup is what it is. McBride is always the first guy to come off the bench and always immediately provides New York a spark. From being a second-round pick a couple of years ago, the guard out of West Virginia went very much under the radar.
McBride spent a good amount of time in the G-League for the Knicks, but eventually worked his way up and earned a three-year contract with New York. McBride gives the Knicks the guard depth in which they don't have a lot of on an everyday basis. The Knicks would have one of the worst benches in the league if McBride was somewhere else.
4. Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets
Although he has had to battle through lots of injuries, Mark Williams has taken massive strides since coming into the NBA three years ago. From his rookie season to now, Williams has almost doubled his scoring stats.
Williams averages almost a double-double, 15 points and 9 rebounds a game, this season with the Hornets.
On a struggling and very young Charlotte team, Williams has taken over as the starting center. The 7 foot center is shooting over 60% from the field and is even adding some assists to his game as well.
On a Charlotte team that is solely headlined by LaMelo Ball, the supporting cast really goes under the radar. Despite the Hornets record, Williams has become one of the most underrated big men in the NBA.
5. Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons
Many people may not realize this but, Beasley is currently second in the NBA in three pointers made behind Anthony Edwards. Beasley only trails Edwards by 15 three pointers made, yet he has played over 400 less minutes this season.
Beasley, shooting around 41% from deep, has found a home with a young Pistons squad in Detroit.
Through his nine years in the league, Beasley has struggled to stay healthy, but this season he has played in all of the Pistons 47 games so far.
Beasley has been a huge factor towards the Pistons early season success that we haven't seen in quite some time. Detroit hasn't made the postseason since 2019, but with Beasley's help and their current status as the 8 seed, that all can soon change.
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