Wiz of Awes
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4 most underrated players on the Washington Wizards

By Cem Yolbulan

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: (Left to right) Delon Wright #55, Rui Hachimura #8, Deni Avdija #9, and Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards walk off the court during a timeout in the first half of a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on December 30, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: (Left to right) Delon Wright #55, Rui Hachimura #8, Deni Avdija #9, and Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards walk off the court during a timeout in the first half of a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on December 30, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Delon Wright

Without much fanfare, Delon Wright was one of the best bench players in the league last season. His no-nonsense style of play makes him fly under the radar but his on-court impact is undeniable.

In the 50 games Wright played last season, the Washington Wizards were 26-24. They were 9-23 when Wright missed time due to an injury. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Wizards were 6.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court than off the court. In fact, with Wright in the lineup, the Wizards were +2.8 per 100 possessions, a mark better than teams like the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.

How can a player who averages 7 points per game and plays 24 minutes per game have this big of an impact?

Because he can do everything else very well. He is a winning player whose impact doesn’t show up in the box score, making him consistently underrated. He is a rock-solid defender who is one of the best defensive playmakers in the league, averaging almost 2 steals per game. He is a very good rebounder, even earning extra possessions for his team with his offensive rebounding. He hustles, plays hard, and leads the team on the defensive end.

Every team needs a Delon Wright. At age 31, he still has a few years of solid bench contribution. As a defensive specialist and a team leader, Wright would be very helpful on any team in the league, whether it’s a rebuilding or a contending situation.

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