Every year, major media outlets (including us!) release list of the best players in the NBA. And every year, that list is mentioned for maybe a dozen or so slightly. The social media typically collects some fantasies to lash out against the unfair outcome in question of their favorite sports, and in those troubled states, few escape to be completely corrected when the time comes, so that the whole exercise is weakened in their eyes.
For those exits (ours included again), the voting body is not monolithic. Just because one of your favorite players is lower on the list than you think he should be isn’t every person the oldest.
So, with our list of the top 100 players in the NBA now out, we decided to give our voters the opportunity to join those social media groups and see where we believe our colleagues went wrong. Each of our voters chose one player, who we published in their top 100 and final list of goals, to nominate as the league’s most underrated player. Maybe we were too low on your favorite sports overall, but maybe you’ll be a bit more relaxed when you know that he had at least one solid defender in our ranks.
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Sam Quinn
Jalen Johnson, Hawks
Top 100 ranking: No
wherefore it must be higher: The Hawks’ young wing star picked up his production, improved his shooting efficiency and was the No. 1 option on the playoff team to earn his first All-Star and All-NBA selection in 2025. I think I deserve a little more than No. 30 spots in our no condition. Yes, Johnson showed some growing pains in the playoffs, but he also dealt with a hellacious Knicks wing defense that was going to win the title. It’s not hard to see this guy climbing the NBA ladder to superstardom this season, and at 25 there’s plenty of room for improvement. He will continue to be comfortable with the first team, and the athletic ability of the 6-foot-8 is what he dreams of before every job. — Robby Kalland
LaMelo Ball, Timberwolves
Top 100 ranking: No
wherefore it must be higher: I doubted because of the defensiveness, firmness, even maturity, finally, I can recognize the real issues. I don’t think people realize just what an incredible shot creator LaMelo Ball was last year. Since December 6th, the Hornets had the best offense in the NBA last season. In that span, Charlotte’s offense declined by 13.2 points per 100 possessions in minutes played without Ball… less than the amount the Nuggets declined without Nikola Jokić (13.4) in the same window. First of all, Charlotte had the worst rating of any five-man in the top 200 minutes played on the year at a bonkers 134.9 points per 100 possessions.
Well… let’s see how it worked in the first place without Last season, LaMelo. Brandon Miller actually shot four points higher with Ball on the court than without him. The other three starters (Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté) have all seen their shooting decline by at least eight points without him. Last season saw Ball post his lowest individual scoring and assist numbers since his rookie year… yet it was far and away the best NBA season he’s ever played. His presence is transformative to everyone else on the floor on offense, and in his mind, he has had the most devastating effect on bad teams. Now he goes to develop Anthony Edwards, and I bet that will trigger the appreciation of one of the game’s best young creators. — Sam Quinn
James Harden, Cavaliers
Top 100 ranking: No
wherefore it must be higher: What are we doing here? Donovan Mitchell recently went too far when he tried to make the case that “the only reason” Harden wasn’t respected like LeBron James and Kevin Durant was “for the sake of championships.” The chief beware that the groans bear the weight of hilarity. Mania went out into the limb, and was immediately taken away. But here we are at the other end of the spectrum with guys like Francis Wagner and Paul Bancher ahead of Harden. Harding is an 11-time All-Star with eight All-NBA nods to his credit. He is the former MVP. Three times in the command is soft. He was named to the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. Wagner and Bancher are not that. He does not completely harden himself with pride in office, especially where his defense and judgment are suspect. However, he should be able to hold more than one thought at a time. Of course he is flawed – so much so that he is better than we give him credit for in our order. — John Gonzalez
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Sam Quinn
Domantas Sabonis, Reg
Top 100 ranking: No
wherefore it must be higher: Sabonis missed almost the entire 2025-26 season due to a knee injury. When healthy, Sabonis is one of the best scorers in the NBA for rebounding, screening and passing. Since the Kings had the best offense in the NBA in the 2022-23 season, it was because of Sabonis. He worked as the center of the offense and created a flow of shots for others within the system. Today’s sacramental system – and the lack of human rights around it – has led people to forget how good it can be. Sabonis, when he is healthy, will be trusted in the top 40 league. — Cam Salerno
Cameron Boozer, Grizzlies
Top 100 ranking: No
wherefore it must be higher: It’s weird to say that a rookie has been posted before he’s even played a game of the season, and you can never read it. also a lot in the preseason. But from what we’ve seen so far of Boozer, aside from his college tapes, it’s hard not to be super excited. He already has NBA size and strength and is extremely polished in both areas. Look at some of the stuff he does now as a 6-foot-10 forward.
Plus, in Memphis, it will start with opening night and dates for every occasion. All told, it’s easy to understand why Rookie of the Year is a loaded favorite. Whether he won the award or not, there won’t be any 94 players better than Boozer this season. — Jack Maloney