Ranking the Top 10 Undrafted NBA Players Right Now
- Joel Piton
- Sep 5
- 6 min read
Every summer, dozens of young prospects anxiously await their name being called on draft night—and for 60 players, that dream becomes reality. For the rest, the wait never ends. They leave the night without a team, without a pick, and without the instant validation of being chosen. Yet, in today’s NBA, going undrafted doesn’t mean your story ends before it starts.
Some of the league’s most dependable role players—and even a few stars—began their careers overlooked and underestimated. Through sheer grit, skill, and the refusal to let one night define them, these players carved out real spots in NBA rotations. In fact, the number of undrafted players receiving legitimate minutes through hard work, two-way contracts and the likes continues to grow—these players are proving themselves nightly against the very lottery picks who once overshadowed them.
In no particular order, let's break down the Top 10 undrafted Players in the league right now:
Luguentz Dort — Oklahoma City Thunder (F)
After going undrafted in 2019, Lu Dort didn’t just carve out a role—he built a reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. The 6’3 guard quickly became the Thunder’s tone-setter, a physical defender capable of locking down elite scorers while also stepping up offensively when needed. In 2021, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined, Dort showcased his scoring ability, averaging 17 points across a stretch as the Thunder’s primary option. Fast forward to today, and Dort has evolved into the quintessential 3-and-D weapon, knocking down over 40% from deep during OKC’s championship run. From undrafted longshot to All-Defensive caliber player and NBA champion, Dort has proven everyone wrong—and then some.
T.J. McConnell — Indiana Pacers (G)
Few undrafted players have built a resume as quietly solid as TJ McConnell. The veteran point guard has been one of the NBA’s most reliable bench floor generals for nearly a decade, known for his relentless defense and midrange precision. McConnell owns the Pacers’ single-game record for steals with 10 and the NBA record for most steals in a half with nine. He’s also one of just two players in Sixers history to record a triple-double off the bench. Shooting well over 50% for his career, McConnell isn't flashy by any means, he relies on consistency. His playoff run this past season showcased exactly that, where he steadied Indiana’s second unit with efficiency, toughness, and grit.
Austin Reaves — Los Angeles Lakers (SG)
Austin Reaves’ rise from undrafted bench warmer to one of the Lakers’ bucket-getters has been nothing short of remarkable. He's blossomed into a reliable 20+ point scorer, and somehow earned nearly 12 percent of Western Conference backcourt All-Star votes while cementing himself as a fan favorite. What makes Reaves so dynamic is his deep offensive bag: silky dribble pull-ups, sharp crossovers, hesitation fakes, and crafty finishes through contact. He’s fearless when attacking defenses and thrives under the bright lights, often embracing the toughest moments on the biggest stage. His confidence and versatility have grown steadily each season, making him more than just a role player—he’s become a part of the Lakers’ future. For a player overlooked on draft night, Reaves has more than proven he belongs among the NBA’s elite guards.
Fred VanVleet — Houston Rockets (G)
Fred VanVleet is often hailed as one of the greatest undrafted players in NBA history—and for good reason. Coming out of Wichita State in 2016, he fought his way onto the Raptors roster, first backing up Kyle Lowry before proving himself as a championship-caliber guard during Toronto’s 2019 title run. From there, VanVleet grew into a dynamic floor general, eventually notching an All-Star nod while embracing a role as both scorer and facilitator. His ability to hit tough threes, create off the dribble, and defend at a high level despite his size cemented his place as a modern NBA success story. After signing a max contract with Houston, VanVleet endured a statistically bad first tenure as the team searched for an identity. Still, with his leadership and scoring it’s only a matter of time before he shakes off the rust. If he bounces back, other guards across the league should be on notice.
Max Strus — Cleveland Cavaliers (F)
Max Strus first turned heads during Miami’s 2022 playoff run, where his streaky catch-and-shoot ability made him a dangerous weapon from deep. Since then, he’s evolved into a dependable starting swingman, capable not only of spacing the floor with quick-trigger threes but also of making the right reads as a passer. Strus brings toughness and energy to both ends of the court, carving out his spot in the NBA as a classic role player who thrives under pressure. This season in Cleveland was hampered by injuries, but when healthy, Strus is a valuable piece who can instantly ignite an offense with his shooting runs. In today’s NBA, where spacing and shooting are everything, Strus has proven he belongs.
Naz Reid — Minnesota Timberwolves (F/C)
Former Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid has become a fan favorite in Minnesota—and it’s easy to see why. At 6’9”, he defies traditional big-man logic, stretching the floor with a silky quick-release jumper that he can knock down at over 40% from deep across a season. Reid isn’t just a shooter; he’s also shown flashes of playmaking ability more typical of guards, making him one of the league’s more unique offensive weapons off the bench. Defense has been his only real knock, but given his minutes and role, it’s hardly a glaring weakness. If Reid continues to sharpen his closeouts and rim protection, he’ll add another dimension to his already versatile game. For the Wolves, his impact has been nothing short of electric.
Dorian Finney-Smith — Houston Rockets (F)
Dorian Finney-Smith entered the league in 2016 as an undrafted wing with little shooting range and a chip on his shoulder. Nearly a decade later, he’s built himself into one of the NBA’s most respected 3-and-D players. Once a hesitant shooter, Finney-Smith has developed into a reliable threat from deep—the kind of player you simply can’t leave open. He’s an above-average rebounder for his position, unafraid to mix it up inside, and his near 7-foot wingspan makes him a defensive nightmare on the perimeter. He doesn’t need the ball in his hands to impact a game—doing the dirty work, spacing the floor, and locking down opposing scorers. Simply put, Finney-Smith does a lot of things well, and he’s turned himself into the definition of a glue guy every playoff team needs.
Alex Caruso — Oklahoma City Thunder (G)
Alex Caruso has defied the odds every step of the way. The former Texas A&M Aggie went undrafted, yet now sits as a two-time NBA champion and two-time All-Defensive Team recipient—with plenty left in the tank. At 6’5”, Caruso is a defensive menace capable of guarding virtually any position on the floor, using his instincts, toughness, and motor to frustrate even the league’s best scorers. And while defense is his calling card, his offensive growth has been just as important. In this year’s playoffs, Caruso knocked down 40% of his threes, a boost that paid huge dividends in securing his team’s title. He’s gone from being overlooked to being indispensable, the perfect example of how hustle, grit, and confidence can carve out an elite NBA career.
Sam Hauser — Boston Celtics (F)
A quiet yet lethal shooter, Sam Hauser has quietly become one of the NBA’s most dangerous perimeter threats. The NBA champion has shot north of 40% from beyond the arc for his entire career, and his usage rate has steadily grown year after year. Now, with Jayson Tatum sidelined, Hauser is primed to step into a much larger role at the small forward spot. If his last four seasons are any indication, the Celtics may be looking at their most reliable long-range shooter on the roster. The former Virginia Cavalier has proven he can anchor stretches of offense before—the question is whether he can sustain it at this level. If he does, Boston’s spacing and firepower won’t skip a beat.
Jose Alvarado — New Orleans Pelicans (G)
Grand Theft Alvarado remains one of the NBA’s most entertaining defensive pests. The former Georgia Tech standout and ACC Defensive Player of the Year carried his signature ball-hawk instincts straight into the pros, ranking second in steals for the Pelicans as an undrafted rookie in 2021. Since then, Alvarado has grown into a more confident perimeter shooter, giving New Orleans valuable energy on both ends. Last season was rocky—with injuries and inconsistency impacting his production—but his relentless motor and work ethic make him a threat to bounce back. If he can rediscover his disruptive defensive form and steady his jumper, Alvarado could easily reclaim his spot as one of the league’s premier spark plugs off the bench.
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At the end of the day, the NBA draft is just a starting point to building a reputable pro career. And for every player whose name never got called, these undrafted standouts are living proof that work ethic and persistence can eclipse draft status. Many of them have carved out roles stronger than lottery picks, outlasted first-rounders, and even won titles on the biggest stage. They didn’t just survive in the NBA—they thrived by proving everyone wrong.
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Thanks for reading!
Joel Piton