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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Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) shoots the ball over Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 110-83. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) shoots the ball over Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 110-83. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Jared Sullinger (RFA)

If not for conditioning concerns, Jared Sullinger would almost certainly be attracting far more attention heading into free agency. The burly Ohio State product averaged 12.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks and 0.6 three-pointers in only 25.9 minutes per game across the past three seasons, leading the Boston Celtics in boards all three years.

Alas, Sullinger’s weight is likely to drive down his value as a free agent, as Celtics general manager Danny Ainge wasn’t shy about ripping into him for his poor conditioning. In February 2015, Ainge said Sullinger wasn’t “up to the standards that he wants” with regard to his fitness, “and is not up to the standards that we think are in his best interests for the long-term health of his career,” per Boston.com’s Brian Robb. Former No. 1 overall pick John Lucas went so far as to stage a “basketball intervention” for Sullinger last May to get his conditioning concerns in check, per ESPN.com’s Chris Forsberg.

He made progress on that front this past year while averaging 15.7 points and a career-best 12.7 rebounds per 36 minutes, making him a potentially enticing target for teams in need of a power forward. ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton projected Sullinger to accrue the eighth-most wins above replacement player (17.5) among all free agents over the next three seasons, ahead of Dwight Howard, Chandler Parsons and DeMar DeRozan, among others.

Given his rebounding prowess and ability to step out and hit a three-pointer, Sully could prove to be a steal in the free-agent market so long as he can keep the excess weight off.

Next: The veteran glue guy

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