NBA Draft 2016: Every team’s most underrated pick ever

Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap, No. 47 pick, 2006 NBA Draft

Paul Millsap has been underrated for his entire career.

First, he was underrated as a college player. Millsap, while playing at Louisiana Tech, led the NCAA in rebounding for three consecutive seasons, and he did so while averaging 18.6 points per game and shooting 57.7 percent from the field. All that did was land Millsap in the bottom half of the second round of the NBA Draft and in an off-the-radar location in Utah.

Once he arrived in Salt Lake City, Millsap was immediately good, earning second team All-Rookie honors, and in short order, he was lighting it up in a supporting role. During his final three seasons in Utah, Millsap averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while taking nothing off the table, but when he hit free agency, only a two-year, $19 million offer from Atlanta was waiting for him.

On cue, Millsap exploded into a legitimate star, making three straight All-Star games while stuffing the stat sheet with points, rebounds, blocks and steals at an elite rate. Still, the 6-foot-8 power forward remains overlooked in the grand scheme because of his “dirty work” profile as an NBA player, but he is an excellent defender that provides versatility on both ends, quality shooting and overall excellence.

This wasn’t a tough choice, and that tells you how good (and undervalued) Millsap has been.

Next: Washington Wizards