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3 most underrated signings of NBA offseason

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Not every team was fortunate enough to land a high-profile free agent like LaMarcus Aldridge or Marc Gasol this offseason. The majority of big names on the market elected to stay put, giving second- and third-tier options an opening to sneak in and secure a big payday.

Here's a look at three under-the-radar signings that didn't create a ton of buzz or grab a lot of headlines, but should still steer the respective squads in a more positive direction during the 2015-16 season.

PF Ed Davis

Contract: $20 million over three years with Portland Trail Blazers

2014-15 statistics (with Los Angeles Lakers): 79 games, 23.3 MP, 8.3 PTS, 60.1 FG%, 7.6 REB, 1.2 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.7 TOV, 20 PER

Davis won't put up 20 and 10 a night like Aldridge did for most of his tenure in Rip City, but the 26-year-old big remains a solid building block on a Blazers roster where he'll have plenty of opportunities to shine.

Last season's 79-game run with the Lakers was the most action Davis saw since his early years north of the border with the Toronto Raptors, with his 6.3 win shares being 3.6 more than the second-highest player on the team (Jeremy Lin, 2.7). He demonstrated a smooth touch around the basket, paired with a knack for crashing the glass, and an underrated defensive game.

The North Carolina product has never averaged over 25 minutes per game in a season. His respectable career per-36 numbers (12.1 points and 10.6 boards on 55.1 percent shooting) paint the picture of a man aching for a chance to prove himself in a larger role, which he'll surely get in Portland's frontcourt.

There's no clear-cut No. 2 scoring option behind Damian Lillard in a lineup which saw four starters sign elsewhere. It's time for Davis to grab that brass ring and seize the moment in his new surroundings.

SG Monta Ellis

Contract: $44 million over four years with Indiana Pacers

2014-15 statistics (with Dallas Mavericks): 80 games, 33.7 MP, 18.9 PTS, 44.5 FG%, 28.5 3P%, 2.4 REB, 4.1 AST, 1.9 STL, 2.5 TOV, 16.5 PER

The Pacers' anemic offense (ranked 24th last season) desperately needed a spark. Ellis, who's made a career of putting up points in a hurry, is just what the doctor ordered.

The 29-year-old led a top-five offense in Dallas last season in points per game, albeit with shooting percentages that dipped as the year went on. Consistent shooting has always been an area of concern for the high-volume scorer, but it comes with the territory for someone who attempts as many buckets as Ellis.

Paul George is returning from a compound fracture in his leg, which will cause some anxiety for a team trusting him to shoulder much of the load in his first season back. The addition of Ellis takes some of the pressure off George, as he simply can't be left unaccounted for by defenders, thus creating breathing room for the two-time All-Star to operate.

Ellis alone doesn't lift Indiana to the upper echelon of the East, but he does give the Pacers a fighter's chance at a postseason berth, which is the best-case scenario following the loss of David West and Roy Hibbert.

C Tyson Chandler

Contract: $52 million over four years with Phoenix Suns

2014-15 statistics (with Mavericks): 73 games, 26.2 MP, 11.9 PTS, 44.7 FG%, 38.9 3P%, 4 REB, 2 AST, 0.6 STL, 1.3 TOV, 15.2 PER

The Phoenix Suns are rolling the dice by giving a hefty four-year deal to a veteran center with a history of injuries, who could also struggle to mesh with their run-and-gun offense.

It's a calculated risk, but one the franchise needed to make. Chandler, even at the age of 32, remains an elite rim protector who can operate in the pick-and-roll with guards Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe. He's the best center Phoenix has had in years, and a surefire upgrade over Alex Len as he develops.

The Suns' medical team has a reputation for extending the careers of the old and tender, which bodes well for Chandler if worse comes to worst.

A behind-the-scenes leader? Check. Double-figure rebounds? And there's one final check: a top-level defender who can swat away shots. It may be too good to be true, just as long as he can stay on the floor.

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