As we inch closer to the start of the NBA regular season with each passing day, the excitement naturally grows. We start thinking about the Washington Wizards roster, how they stack up against the rest of the NBA, and what we are looking forward to in the 2023-24 season. One thing all fanbases want to see is seeing their players finally getting properly rated by the league in general.
There are players on every team that their fans are convinced are underrated. This is natural. Fans generally watch their team more than the others and might have a bias stemming from that simple fact.
However, there are also players who are objectively underrated for a variety of reasons. This could be due to a lack of exposure and playoff success, playing in a small market, or their contributions not showing on a traditional stat sheet. The Washington Wizards are certainly no exceptions to the rule.
Especially as a team who flies under the radar, doesn’t get much coverage, and doesn’t have their games on national television, the Wizards’ players tend to get this treatment. Add only one playoff appearance in the last five seasons, and you get a team of underrated players.
These players would look much better on a team with playoff aspirations. Playing in meaningful games in April, May, and June give players a boost in attention. In a lot of cases, it’s not these players’ fault that they were put in a situation where they can’t compete in the postseason. So, it’s important to look deeper into their games and their numbers to determine where they actually rank in the overall league hierarchy. It’s time to do that for the Wizards and give some players their flowers.
These are the most underrated players on the Wizards roster.
No. 4: Kyle Kuzma
It may be hard to argue that Kyle Kuzma is underrated. He is an immensely popular fashion icon who is regularly in the national press. However, it almost seems like his off-court persona has out shadowed his on-court abilities.
Not only is Kuzma an impressively consistent player who is largely healthy and available, but he has also been gradually improving throughout his career. Last season, he became a 20+ points per game scorer without seeing a decline in his efficiency. He was one of the most under-the-radar 20 points scorers in the NBA.
Perhaps more impressive than his scoring has been the improvement in the other aspects of his game, namely the playmaking and the defense. Over the years, he completely erased his reputation as a chucker and became a solid passer and playmaker for a combo forward, averaging a career-high 3.7 assists per game last season. He also improved to become an above-average defender for his position, providing remarkable size, rebounding, and mobility.
There simply aren’t too many 6’9 forwards in the league who can shoot, pass, dribble, and defend. He is a valuable two-way wing who can guard multiple positions. It is a travesty that he wasn’t included in the Top 125 Players list the Athletic published this week. Combine that with the fact that he is in his prime and only making $90 million for the next four years, he immediately becomes an underrated player. His value will be understood much better if and when he is part of a playoff team again.
No. 3: Tyus Jones
Tyus Jones is a newcomer in Washington, but he should have no problem fitting in considering his habitual underratedness.
Jones being an underrated player is to be expected. He has been a bench guard his entire career, only starting in 94 games out of 535 in his career. This is due to the fact that he was behind Ja Morant in Memphis in the last four seasons. However, whenever he has had a chance to shine as a starter, both he and his team have exceeded expectations.
Last season in the 22 games he started, Jones averaged 16.4 points and 8.1 assists in 33 minutes on an impressive shooting splits of 50% from the field and 41.5% from three. In these games, the Grizzlies had an offensive rating of 128. He never turns the ball over and has consistently led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio. A point guard who sets the table for his teammates without taking anything off the table is difficult to find.
Jones has no weaknesses in his game, especially offensively. He is not the most explosive or versatile scorer, but he can shoot, dribble, pass, and drive to the basket. He is undersized, so he is not the best defender but he plays with effort and discipline.
He is reliable, consistent, and available. Considering that he is 27 and entering his prime, Jones should have many seasons ahead of him being one of the best bench guards in the league at the bare minimum. The 2023-24 season as a starter with the Wizards will show if he can be more than that. And the limited sample size so far in his career is promising.
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.
No. 1: Corey Kispert
A much more complete offensive player than he is given credit for, Corey Kispert is regularly pigeonholed as a shooter in NBA discussions. Even though it’s true that he is one of the most elite sharpshooters in the league -hitting over 42% of his threes last season-, he is also an extremely efficient scorer in general. He is a savvy off-ball cutter and a skilled finisher, making 64% of his two-pointer attempts. This part of his game is consistently underappreciated.
Yes, Kispert is a weak defender with physical and athletic shortcomings. He would likely have a more limited role on a team with championship aspirations. However, he is still a 25-year-old starter with an elite offensive upside. On a team that prioritizes 3-point volume, he can have a much bigger offensive role. He should easily be getting up more than 5.2 three-pointers per game.
Moreover, Kispert has been playing on a team that is completely bereft of shooting and playmaking. He is usually the lone floor-spacer on most lineups, and the Wizards haven’t had great point guard play in the two seasons Kispert has been in the league. He has been one of the most efficient players in the league despite not playing in an ideal ecosystem. He could look much better next to elite floor generals and more dynamic offensive weapons. It’s not clear when the Wizards will be able to surround Kispert with that, but if it happens, expect a major leap from the former Gonzaga standout.
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