Some NBA players are just underrated. It might be a product of how they play. They aren’t flashy players, but they’re highly impactful.

Casual fans may overlook them, but the league’s general managers know what they’re worth. Take Tyus Jones of the Washington Wizards. There’s nothing flashy about Jones’ game.

He simply goes to work. His ability to pilot an offense without turning the ball over makes him one of the most reliable guards in the NBA. 

With that said, Jones’ three-point efficiency has slipped this year. It’s possible that in the absence of Ja Morant, Jones is struggling with the defensive attention that he’s receiving.

Could he succeed on the Los Angeles Lakers? 

NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Washington Wizards’ Tyus Jones

Washington Wizards receive: G Gabe Vincent, F/C Jaxson Hayes, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL)

Los Angeles Lakers receive: G Tyus Jones

With that said, you can’t underrate the best players in the league. They simply command attention. If anything, detractors will say that they’re overrated. That’s what some critics will say about LeBron James.

They’re wrong. Is James the best player in NBA history? We’re not sure. That’s a difficult claim to prove. Michael Jordan certainly has a case.

Some will suggest that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still owns that title. If you insist that James is the unquestioned best player of all time, sure, perhaps you’re overrating him a bit. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers Updates

At the same time, he’s got a claim. There’s not a salary that James could earn from the Lakers that would be an overpay. Most remarkably, James is still dominant at his advanced age.

Should the Lakers pair him with Jones? 

Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal 

James is a wildly impressive athlete. At 39, he’s still capable of carrying a huge playmaking load. With that in mind, the Lakers may not need to trade for a star playmaker to help him shoulder that loud.

In other words, Jones may be perfect. He’s not likely to take over games – but the Lakers wouldn’t need him to do that.

They’d simply need him to handle the ball, make the right pass, and space the floor. Jones can do that. He can do it better than Vincent, too.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers Updates

Meanwhile, the Lakers don’t seem to have big plans for Hayes. He should be expendable. Should the Wizards be interested in him? 

Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal 

Realistically, the Wizards only acquired Jones to make the money work in their Kristaps Porzingis trade. They may not have long-term plans for him.

Jones isn’t old, but he’s not necessarily a cornerstone for a rebuilding team, either. Meanwhile, Jones may be underrated. Still, he’s not a star player.

If the Wizards make him available, they’re not going to receive some incredible haul of draft capital. Picking up a second-round pick has some value for this team. Still, Hayes is the centerpiece.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers Updates

He’s young enough to be part of a rebuild. The Lakers may not trust him, but the Wizards can afford to give him a longer leash. If he delivers, he may become one of the league’s more underrated players before long. 

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