The Three Most Undervalued NBA Draft Prospects

Taking a look at three of the most underrated draft prospects in the upcoming class.

One of the most fun aspects of the NBA draft is the range of opinions surrounding any particular prospect. In a completely speculative process, there are hardly correct answers. A reasonable case can always be made for a variety of stances. This makes draft night completely unpredictable, for decision-makers within organizations will almost always disagree on some things. Some evaluators may value certain prospects far more or less than others. Here are some players who I believe have become criminally underrated during the draft process. I would take each of these guys far higher than where they are most commonly projected in current mock drafts.

Maxwell Lewis (Wing | Pepperdine)

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis has seen his draft stock fluctuate a great amount during this draft cycle. As a sophomore returner, he initially saw his stock around the late-first range. Then, after some early season success, he became a mainstay in lottery conversations, flirting with top-10 talks in the process. Now, the former Pepperdine wing sees his stock back in the late-first range.

I still see Lewis as a surefire lottery, maybe even top-10, prospect. With his handle, craft, creativity, and athleticism, he has very tangible upside as a wing creator. Alternatively, his size and skillset allows him to fall back on a productive role.

G.G. Jackson (Forward | South Carolina)

Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel -USA TODAY NETWORK

Not too long ago, Jackson was the top-ranked player in the 2023 class - the high school class that is. Since then, he reclassified up a year, decommitted from North Carolina, and enrolled at South Carolina. The uber-talented forward found mixed results in his freshman season. The 6-foot-10 teenager scored points in bunches, and flashed immense upside while doing so. However, his efficiency was less than ideal, and his effort could wane at times. Due to these facts, Jackson’s stock has tumbled from a former top-10 position into late-first-round territory.

In spite of his current shortcomings, Jackson should still be selected in the lottery, or in the top 10 if the fit is right. Playing in a poor context as the youngest player in the draft, efficiency and constant effort would be a lofty expectation. The South Carolina native has an uncanny mix of size, fluidity, creativity, footwork, and shot-making. Additionally he possesses some underrated complimentary skills which could immediately help a big league squad.

Jordan Walsh (Forward | Arkansas)

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

When naming the best defensive players in the 2023 NBA Draft, Walsh can’t be too far down the list. The 6-foot-9 forward is an athletic specimen, possessing a rock-solid frame, engulfing length, and quick feet. His defense will quickly be a valuable asset in the league, but his offense is more of a question mark, which is why his draft stock is around the early second round. Still, I’d take Walsh in the mid-first round. His defense is simply that good, and the former Arkansas Razorback freshman possesses some intriguing fluidly and a solid handle at his size.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.