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Every team in the NBA has a player that doesn’t get the love they deserve. I will be going through each division of the NBA and picking a player on every team that I think is underrated. Today, I will cover the Southeast Division.
Miami Heat: Max Strus
The Heat roster is filled with underdogs, but I think Max Strus will be one of their “secret” weapons this upcoming season. Strus went undrafted but made his NBA debut during the 2019/2020 season with the Bulls. In 2020 he signed with the Heat. Last season Strus stepped up his game. He averaged just under 11 points per game. Strus showed that he can/should be an integral part of Miami’s roster last season, and I fully expect him to keep it up this season.
Atlanta Hawks: De’Andre Hunter
De’Andre Hunter has been a part of the Hawks’ roster for three years now, and he has contributed a solid amount each of those years. However, when the Hawks added Dejounte Murray, Hunter may have moved down the list of scoring options. Despite that, I still think Hunter is going to have a great season. The small forward position is more open than ever in Atlanta, and I think that Hunter will take that and run. Averaging 13 points per game with four rebounds and just under two assists, Hunter has shown to be consistent in his three years as a Hawk. Next season I see him getting more minutes and using them to the fullest.
Charlotte Hornets: James Bouknight
James Bouknight was drafted 11th overall by Charlotte last year. While he barely got any playing time (9.8 minutes per game), Bouknight was still one of the more exciting players to watch. He showed that he was able to score inside while being a 6,5 shooting guard. He also shot the three at a decent rate of 37%. But, the most exciting part of Bouknight’s game is his bounce. He can soar. I expect him to make a leap (pun intended) in his game and become a more prominent part of the Hornet’s roster next season. That will lead to more playing time and, of course, more crazy plays for fans to take in.
Washington Wizards: Monte Morris
Monte Morris has been a fan favorite in Denver for his entire career, but this summer, the Nuggets traded him and Will Barton to the Wizards. Coming in behind Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray, Morris was one of the best bench guards in the league. But, last season, he had to step it up in a big way when Murray was ruled out the entire season. Now at the starting point guard position, Morris showed that he could handle the pressure. This season will be no different. Morris will finally have his full-time starting point guard duties. With a teammate like Bradley Beal, I think Morris will take his game to an entirely different level that we have never seen before, and I can not wait to see it.
Orlando Magic: R.J. Hampton
R.J. Hampton was drafted by Denver in 2020, but halfway through the season, he was traded to Orlando. There, he was a better fit and had an instantly better (rest of the) season. His second season was his first full season with the Magic, and he had a solid year. He ended up averaging 7.6 points per game with 2.5 assists and three rebounds. This season Hampton is going to have more playing time with the recent news that shooting guard Garry Harris is out indefinitely with a leg injury. I think Hampton will use those minutes and have his best season yet.
