The NBA has many players whose fame exceeds their performance on the court. This difference between expectation and reality has become a common trend, with fans tagging “overrated” players who fail to live up to the hype. Here are 15 of the most overrated NBA players, as decided by over 80,000 fan votes on Ranker.
Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma’s rookie season sparked hype around his potential as a versatile scorer. However, he struggled to live up to the early buzz, his game-point going from 18.7 points in 2019 to under 13 points in two straight seasons. Despite hitting 17.1 in 2022, 21.2 in 2023, and currently 22.2, fans appear unforgiving.
Ben Simmons
Drafted 1st overall in 2016, Ben Simmons got into the league with towering expectations as a playmaking forward with size and athleticism. Despite his defensive ability, Simmons’ lack of shooting range has significantly limited his offensive impact. Through his first four active seasons, Simmons attempted only 34 three-pointers, making just five.
Draymond Green
Draymond Green’s inclusion in this list may surprise some, given his crucial role in the Golden State Warriors dynasty. While his defensive impact is undeniable, Green’s career averages of 8.7 points and 5.6 assists per game seem modest for a player often discussed as a potential Hall of Famer.
Kevin Knox
Although he showed flashes of potential during his rookie season, Kevin Knox’s performance hasn’t really been the “best” so far. In his first three seasons with the Knicks, Knox averaged just 7.7 points per game on 37.3% shooting from the field. Knox’s playing time, too, has steadily decreased.
Lonzo Ball
The case of Lonzo Ball presents a unique challenge in evaluating hype versus reality. Drafted second overall in 2017, Ball’s passing ability was encouraging. Yet, injuries have significantly impacted his career. In his first four seasons, Ball played only 217 out of a possible 328 games.
James Harden
A former MVP, James Harden, might seem an unlikely candidate for this list. However, the hype surrounding Harden’s offensive skills has often overshadowed his postseason struggles. While his 2018-2019 season statistics are impressive—36.1 points and 7.5 assists per game, the numbers have dropped progressively in recent playoff seasons.
Rudy Gobert
A four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier rim protectors. Regardless, his offensive limitations and struggles in certain playoff matchups have made some question whether his defensive dominance is enough to make him a true superstar in the league.
Andrew Wiggins
Wiggins was drafted first overall in the NBA in 2014 and entered the league with high hopes. Nonetheless, he has struggled with overall efficiency throughout his career, with a Player Efficiency Rating not exceeding 16.5. While he has shown improvement recently, Wiggins’ potential as a record-setting player has yet to materialize.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown, selected third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, has developed into a solid player for the Boston Celtics. However, the hype surrounding Brown has at times exceeded his on-court display. While his scoring has consistently progressed each season, his impact on team success has been relatively unclear.
Mohamed Bamba
With high hopes pinned on his exceptional shot-blocking ability, Bamba’s impact has been limited in his first four seasons. His career averages of 7.0 points and 1.3 blocks per game in 17.2 minutes of playing time reflect a player who has struggled to carve out a significant role.
LaMelo Ball
LaMelo Ball’s first-season average of 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game seemed to justify his pre-draft hype. However, expectations may have outpaced reality in subsequent seasons because his efficiency has remained a concern, with a career field goal percentage of 42.7%.
Bradley Beal
A multi All-Star, Bradley Beal has been a prolific scorer throughout his career. From 2016 to 2021, Beal averaged an impressive 26.1 points per game. Yet, this individual success has not translated to team achievements. During this period, the Washington Wizards made the playoffs thrice and lost all three.
Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier entered the league with less fanfare than some others on this list. Still, Fournier has averaged a solid but unspectacular career of 13.6 points per game. His impact on team success has been limited, with his teams often performing the same whether he’s on or off the court.
Tobias Harris
Drafted 19th overall in 2011, Tobias Harris has carved out a solid NBA career as a scoring forward. Yet, his lack of ability to elevate his game in crucial playoff moments makes him list-worthy. His career points of 21.8 in the 2021 playoffs fell to 15.3 in 2023.
Dennis Smith Jr
Selected ninth overall in the 2017 draft, Smith generated significant excitement. However, his NBA career has been marked by inconsistency. After a remarkable rookie season in which he averaged 15.2 points per game, Smith’s numbers dropped, and by his fifth season, he was averaging just 5.6 points per game.
15 Of The Most Overrated Players In The NBA Today