NBA: 5 most underrated 2017 free agents on the open market

Apr 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots against Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots against Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) drives to the net in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Pelicans won 115-90. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) drives to the net in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Pelicans won 115-90. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Jrue Holiday, Unrestricted

Jrue Holiday gets the first nod for this list because of his age. Holiday is an unrestricted free agent, at 26, and is coming off a great year. Injuries were a problem for him momentarily in New Orleans, but this past season he only missed three games due to injury – he missed 12 to care for his ailing wife.

His impact on the Pelicans was quite noticeable, too. Without Holiday in the lineup, the Pelicans were 2-13. With him, they were nearly .500 (32-35).

Holiday gets you an efficient 15 and 7, while playing very good defense. He only shot 35 percent from three this year, but he is usually more around 38 percent. A true two-way point guard, who is an above average playmaker is rare. The fact that he is in the middle of his prime makes it even better.

Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry will steal the headlines as top free agent point guards on the market, but Holiday can help several teams now. New Orleans wants to build a super team with Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins, so they will do everything they can to get him to stay.

Prediction: Stays in New Orleans

Other Suitors: New York, Dallas