NBA · 4 hours ago

The Athletic’s NBA Player Poll Ranks the Most Overrated Players

John Canady

Host · Writer

16) C Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

Domantas Sabonis posted another statistically dominant season in his small sample of 19 games, but still received 2.5% of the vote from fellow players. His regular-season production has never been the issue, but questions about postseason impact and defensive limitations continue to follow him.

Domantas Sabonis 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 15.8 PPG
- Assists: 4.1 APG
- Rebounds: 11.4 RPG
- Blocks: 0.2 BPG
- Steals: 0.9 SPG
1) C Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 12.3%

Despite putting together another productive season in Houston, Alperen Sengun received the highest percentage of votes in The Athletic’s annual poll at 12.3%. Around the league, there still appears to be skepticism about whether his numbers fully translate to winning at the highest level, especially defensively and in playoff settings.

Alperen Sengun 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 20.4 PPG
- Assists: 6.2 APG
- Rebounds: 8.9 RPG
- Blocks: 1.1 BPG
- Steals: 1.2 SPG
2) C Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 8.6%

Rudy Gobert continues to appear on this list, which has become almost an annual tradition, after pulling in 8.6% of the vote this year. Despite his defensive impact and résumé, players around the league still seem divided on whether his overall value matches the accolades and massive contract.

Rudy Gobert 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 10.9 PPG
- Assists: 1.7 APG
- Rebounds: 11.5 RPG
- Blocks: 1.6 BPG
- Steals: 0.8 SPG
3) G Trae Young, Washington Wizards
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 8.6%

Now with the Wizards, Trae Young landed at 8.6% in the poll after another season in which his offensive production came paired with criticism about efficiency and defense. There’s never been much debate about his talent, but opposing players clearly still question how much winning impact he brings as a centerpiece.

Trae Young 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 17.9 PPG
- Assists: 8.0 APG
- Rebounds: 2.0 RPG
- Blocks: 0.1 BPG
- Steals: 0.9 SPG
4) F/C Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 7.4%

Karl-Anthony Towns received 7.4% of the vote despite remaining one of the most skilled offensive big men in basketball. His inconsistencies on the defensive end and stretches of passive play continue to fuel league-wide debates about whether he truly belongs among the NBA’s elite stars.

Karl-Anthony Towns 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 20.1 PPG
- Assists: 3.0 APG
- Rebounds: 11.9 RPG
- Blocks: 0.5 BPG
- Steals: 0.9 SPG
5) F Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 4.9%

Seeing Paolo Banchero on this list at just 4.9% is notable considering how quickly expectations have risen for the young Orlando star. While the production is undeniable, some players around the league may feel the hype has accelerated faster than the overall efficiency and team success.

Paolo Banchero 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 22.2 PPG
- Assists: 5.2 APG
- Rebounds: 8.4 RPG
- Blocks: 0.6 BPG
- Steals: 0.7 SPG
6) G Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 4.9%

At his best, Ja Morant remains one of the league’s most explosive guards, but he still earned 4.9% of the vote in the poll. Injuries, inconsistency, and availability concerns over the last two seasons have clearly impacted how some players currently view his standing around the league.

Ja Morant 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 19.5 PPG
- Assists: 8.1 APG
- Rebounds: 3.3 RPG
- Blocks: 0.3 BPG
- Steals: 1.0 SPG
7) F Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 3.7%

After breaking out in Portland, Deni Avdija still received 3.7% of the vote from players around the NBA. While his versatility has impressed plenty of people, some around the league may not fully buy into the growing hype surrounding his offensive leap.

Deni Avdija 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 24.2 PPG
- Assists: 6.7 APG
- Rebounds: 6.9 RPG
- Blocks: 0.6 BPG
- Steals: 0.8 SPG
8) F Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 3.7%

Scottie Barnes earned 3.7% of the vote despite continuing to stuff the stat sheet for Toronto. The talent is obvious, but some players remain skeptical about whether he can consistently elevate a team as a true franchise centerpiece.

Scottie Barnes 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 18.1 PPG
- Assists: 5.9 APG
- Rebounds: 7.5 RPG
- Blocks: 1.5 BPG
- Steals: 1.4 SPG
9) G Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 3.7%

Even superstars are not immune to this poll, as Luka Doncic picked up 3.7% of the vote after his first season in Los Angeles. His brilliance with the ball has never been questioned, but criticism surrounding conditioning, defense, and ball dominance continues to follow him around the league.

Luka Doncic 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 33.5 PPG
- Assists: 8.3 APG
- Rebounds: 7.7 RPG
- Blocks: 0.5 BPG
- Steals: 1.6 SPG
10) F Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 3.7%

Pascal Siakam received 3.7% of the vote despite helping stabilize Indiana as a veteran presence. While his consistency and versatility are valued internally, some players around the league may view him more as a complementary star than a true difference-maker.

Pascal Siakam 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 24.0 PPG
- Assists: 3.8 APG
- Rebounds: 6.6 RPG
- Blocks: 0.4 BPG
- Steals: 1.1 SPG
11) F Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

No surprise here, as Dillon Brooks landed on the list with 2.5% of the vote after another season embracing the villain role. His physical defense and confidence have always rubbed opponents the wrong way, and that reputation continues to shape how players around the league view him.

Dillon Brooks 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 20.2 PPG
- Assists: 1.8 APG
- Rebounds: 3.6 RPG
- Blocks: 0.2 BPG
- Steals: 1.0 SPG
12) G Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

Despite emerging as one of the NBA’s premier playmakers, Tyrese Haliburton still received 2.5% of the vote in the poll. Some players may view the attention surrounding his offensive game as slightly ahead of his overall consistency, particularly on the defensive end.

Tyrese Haliburton 2024-25 Stats
- Points: 18.6 PPG
- Assists: 9.2 APG
- Rebounds: 3.5 RPG
- Blocks: 0.7 BPG
- Steals: 1.4 SPG
13) G Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

Tyler Herro earned 2.5% of the vote after another productive scoring season in Miami. While the shot-making ability is undeniable, there continues to be debate around the league about whether his numbers carry the same impact as those of other high-level guards.

Tyler Herro 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 20.5 PPG
- Assists: 4.1 APG
- Rebounds: 4.8 RPG
- Blocks: 0.4 BPG
- Steals: 0.7 SPG
14) F Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

Evan Mobley receiving 2.5% of the vote is a reminder of how high expectations have become for the Cleveland big man. His defensive value is already elite, but some players still appear unconvinced by where his offensive game currently stands.

Evan Mobley 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 18.2 PPG
- Assists: 3.6 APG
- Rebounds: 9.0 RPG
- Blocks: 1.7 BPG
- Steals: 0.7 SPG
15) G Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

One of the more surprising names on the list was Brandin Podziemski, who pulled in 2.5% of the vote. The young guard has earned praise for his feel and energy, though some around the league may feel the attention he receives outweighs the production at this stage.

Brandin Podziemski 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 13.8 PPG
- Assists: 3.7 APG
- Rebounds: 5.1 RPG
- Blocks: 0.2 BPG
- Steals: 1.1 SPG
16) C Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 2.5%

Domantas Sabonis posted another statistically dominant season in his small sample of 19 games, but still received 2.5% of the vote from fellow players. His regular-season production has never been the issue, but questions about postseason impact and defensive limitations continue to follow him.

Domantas Sabonis 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 15.8 PPG
- Assists: 4.1 APG
- Rebounds: 11.4 RPG
- Blocks: 0.2 BPG
- Steals: 0.9 SPG
1) C Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Percent of Votes (81 Votes): 12.3%

Despite putting together another productive season in Houston, Alperen Sengun received the highest percentage of votes in The Athletic’s annual poll at 12.3%. Around the league, there still appears to be skepticism about whether his numbers fully translate to winning at the highest level, especially defensively and in playoff settings.

Alperen Sengun 2025-26 Stats
- Points: 20.4 PPG
- Assists: 6.2 APG
- Rebounds: 8.9 RPG
- Blocks: 1.1 BPG
- Steals: 1.2 SPG