The NBA's Most Underrated Teams Entering 2022-23 Season

The NBA is as loaded with individual talent and good teams as it's ever been.

There are reasonable arguments to be made for several organizations being real contenders. More than 20 teams have legitimate playoff aspirations (or at least the play-in tournament).

With that kind of depth throughout the league, it's easy for quality rosters to get lost in the shuffle.

To determine the NBA's most underrated teams heading into the 2022-23 season, we'll consult both win totals and championship odds from FanDuel's sportsbook. We've identified those that appear most out of whack with the improvements they've made this offseason.

Over-Under: 45.5 (tied for 15th)

Championship Odds: +5000

The Atlanta Hawks won 43 games in 2021-22, and they swapped Danilo Gallinari (3.0 estimated wins last season) for Dejounte Murray (10.7) this summer.

Of course, their prospects for this season are far more complex than the difference between those two numbers. There will surely be a learning curve for Murray and Trae Young, both of whom are used to dominating possessions.

There may be a hint of uneasiness in the frontcourt, where John Collins has seemingly been in trade rumors for years. But the best version of this team seems like it could clear 50 wins.

Young is one of the game's best and most effective offensive engines. Atlanta was second on that end of the floor last season. His deep range, ability to manipulate defenses in the pick-and-roll and unselfishness should open up driving lanes and easy shots for Murray.

The flip side of that coin is Murray's slashing pulling defenses inward and giving Young a little extra breathing room outside. Once the balance is struck between those two, the offense should have a chance to finish top five again.

The more important and immediate effect may happen on the other end, though. The Hawks were 26th in defense last season, and they were worse when Trae was on the floor.

Adding one of the game's better perimeter defenders and turnover generators in Murray should push the team closer to average by itself. If De'Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okongwu can come close to their potential on that end, average could be the floor.

Over-Under: 43.5 (17th)

Championship Odds: +5000

Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans were plus-9.0 points per 100 possessions when CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones and Jonas Valanciunas were all on the floor. For context's sake, the Phoenix Suns' league-leading net rating last season was plus-8.5.

Now, the Pelicans get to round out that lineup with Zion Williamson, one of the most efficient high-volume scorers we've ever seen.

For his career, Zion has averaged 28.9 points per 75 possessions. Michael Jordan and Joel Embiid (both at 30.3) are the only NBA players in history with higher career averages.

Among the 22 players with a career average of at least 25 points per 75 possessions, Zion's 64.0 true shooting percentage ranks first (and is 1.6 percentage points clear of second place Stephen Curry).

If Zion is anywhere near the player he was throughout 2020-21, New Orleans is going to have one of the game's most dynamic offenses. If he can leverage some of his physical tools more effectively on the other end, and Herbert Jones and Jose Alvarado continue to improve there as well, 43.5 wins seem like an awfully low bar for this team to clear.

Over-Under: 33.5 (23rd)

Championship Odds: +49000

The Sacramento Kings aren't going to compete for a championship any time soon. Finishing in the top six in the Western Conference and clear of the play-in tournament this season probably isn't a realistic expectation, either.

But FanDuel's current win total projections have Sacramento six wins shy of the 10th-place Portland Trail Blazers. After the acquisition of Domantas Sabonis last season and a summer that brought the additions of Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, that feels low.

On paper, an offense revolving around De'Aaron Fox and Sabonis in the middle of the floor and surrounded by shooting from Murray, Harrison Barnes, Huerter or Monk is intriguing. Development from Davion Mitchell could slightly elevate the Kings' ceiling on defense, too.

The Kings haven't given us many reasons to believe over the last two decades. But there's enough talent here to suggest that Sacramento could push toward the 40-win threshold and threaten for a play-in spot.

Over-Under: 35.5 (22nd)

Championship Odds: +24000

Similar to the Kings, there can't be many (if any) fans out there who believe the Washington Wizards will be anywhere near their conference's title contenders.

But the Wizards won 35 games in 2021-22 despite only getting 40 games out of Bradley Beal (who often appeared unhealthy in those limited appearances).

If Beal is back to his 2019-20 and 2020-21 self (or close to it), when he averaged 30.9 points, that alone should put Washington close to this projection.

Factor in the recent additions of Kristaps Porzingis, Monte Morris and Will Barton, as well as development from Deni Avdija and Rui Hachimura, and 40 wins feels like a realistic goal.

Unless noted otherwise, advanced stats courtesy of Basketball Reference, Stathead, Cleaning the Glass, NBA.com/stats or PBP Stats.