Let’s take a look at the players who played too few minutes to qualify for overall NBA statistics or even the minimum on various other analytics sites. These would have been their overall NBA ranks in our NBA ADJeff Model had they played enough to qualify last season.
They are all highly productive per possession, which suggests a much greater ceiling by the theory of the Milsap Doctrine especially if there are injuries. Typically, they just need more minutes and opportunity. These sleepers would have ranked in the top 100 based on per possession stats.
Can I interest you in a 30-year-old, 2-time All-Star, 3-time Defensive Player of the Year vote-getter, with the #1 rebound percentage in NBA history, still in his prime? Andre Drummond would have ranked 14th in PER last year and 7th in DRtg if he had qualified. We rate Drummond as the most undervalued player in the NBA for that reason. Unfortunately, unless there are injuries, we are unlikely to see him play more minutes than he did last year.
The 76ers were able to land him for $5 million a year, which was one of the best deals of the summer and insulates them from time missed by Joel Embiid. Critics may dismiss Drummond, but his statistics speak for themselves; he had an outstanding season and played in 79 games. This season underscores that he is capable of being a starter again. His rebounding ability effectively ends defensive possessions, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the game and a key reason why his defensive rating is historically so strong. It’s just a different way to limit points. It’s puzzling why his perceived value is currently so low despite his impressive season, and being in his prime. We know it’s not a fluke he played like that.
Trayce Jackson-Davis
For all the talk about the rookie year of Derrek Lively, Jackson-Davis was having his own highly productive one as the 57th pick in the draft. When he was drafted I felt like his game would translate and at his age he would be read from day one, and he exceeded even my expectations. He was just so good in college and having a father that was a quality NBA play and that DNA doesn’t hurt. I think it could just be a matter of time before he gets more of an opportunity and he’s one of the brighter young players for the Warriors.
Day’Ron Sharpe
Day’Ron Sharpe still has a good player Infront of him in Nic Claxton, but the Nets situation has changed after getting their picks back. Clearly they will be tanking and Claxton has value and I could see being sold off or certainly sat at times. Watch for Sharpe who is highly productive if he gets a chance.
Luke Kornet
Unlike Drummond, Kornet’s never done it as a starter so there are more question. He also plays on a great defensive team so it’s fair to be more skeptical of him. Still the numbers are the numbers and he was great last year in the 15 minutes a game he played. At 7-2 the 28 year-old, used to shoot three’s earlier in his career like a poor man’s Kristaps Porziņģis. I think the Uni-Kornet deserves a chance at a bigger role given his per possession value. It’s a sneak great keep by Boston with an aging Al Horford.
Indiana’s Young Bigs
Both Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith have logged three and four quality seasons now as productive resources. At ages 22 and 23 there is still a lot of room to grow as well. I think at some point logging 2000 to 3000 productive minutes each in the NBA we could see them run with with an expanded chance. Unfortunately they cannibalize each others opportunity some in this situation. It was time to time to pick one and trade the other but Smith was able to walk and sign with the Bulls on a reasonable contract. Watch that situation.
