Fansided

10 most underrated NBA free agents of 2016

By Bryan Toporek

Nov 1, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) controls the ball during the first quarter as Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) controls the ball during the first quarter as Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) tries for a shot as Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) defends in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) tries for a shot as Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) defends in game seven of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Ian Mahinmi (UFA)

Hassan Whiteside, Dwight Howard, Al Horford and Joakim Noah will attract most of the immediate attention from teams in need of a center, but those who miss out on that quartet should have Ian Mahinmi lurking as a plan B.

After the Indiana Pacers traded Roy Hibbert to the Los Angeles Lakers last offseason, Mahinmi slid into their starting lineup and thrived, averaging 9.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 25.6 minutes per game this past season. He set a six-year high in player efficiency rating (16.6) and smashed his career-best marks in win shares (6.2), box plus/minus (2.4) and value over replacement player (2.0). Additionally, he ranked fifth league-wide in ESPN’s defensive real-plus minus, trailing only Andrew Bogut, Tim Duncan, two-time Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Draymond Green and Cole Aldrich.

Mahinmi is turning 30 in November, so teams may be reluctant to plunk down huge money on a long-term deal for him. Those looking for a stopgap option at center for the next year or two, though, may be better suited pursuing him rather than paying double for Whiteside, Howard or Noah, though. With Myles Turner poised to take over the starting center gig in Indiana, the Pacers likely won’t be bringing Mahinmi back, making him one of the more gettable options at the 5 in free agency.

All statistics via Basketball-Reference.com or NBA.com, unless otherwise noted.

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