Deni Avdija - Part II

[NatP4]

Paying 26 year old Deni less than 12 million/year is going to be a crazy value.

[closg00]

Paying 26 year old Deni less than 12 million/year is going to be a crazy value.

Absolutely, IF he plays at a consistently high level more than one game out of every 10, his problem is his consistency, where has he been hiding last nights version of himself?

[nate33]

Paying 26 year old Deni less than 12 million/year is going to be a crazy value.

Absolutely, IF he plays at a consistently high level more than one game out of every 10, his problem is his consistency, where has he been hiding last nights version of himself?

He is what he is. You know he'll bring the defense every game, but on offense he's not good enough to dictate terms. He attacks a rotating defense well, but you can't just give him the ball and ask him to score. He is going to have good games when defenses are worried about other guys; but if they're focused on stopping Deni, Deni won't score much, except in transition.

I just hopes he works on that left hand more. He is a load when driving to his right, so much so, that teams have to get way out on his right hand to stop his drives. If he could just develop more comfort finishing left, he can make teams pay for shading his right hand.

[Kanyewest]

Paying 26 year old Deni less than 12 million/year is going to be a crazy value.

Absolutely, IF he plays at a consistently high level more than one game out of every 10, his problem is his consistency, where has he been hiding last nights version of himself?

Deni was also very good against the Blazers a couple of games ago with 13/11/6. The rebounds aren't always going to be there because the team defense can be horrid at times.

[closg00]

Paying 26 year old Deni less than 12 million/year is going to be a crazy value.

Absolutely, IF he plays at a consistently high level more than one game out of every 10, his problem is his consistency, where has he been hiding last nights version of himself?

He is what he is. You know he'll bring the defense every game, but on offense he's not good enough to dictate terms. He attacks a rotating defense well, but you can't just give him the ball and ask him to score. He is going to have good games when defenses are worried about other guys; but if they're focused on stopping Deni, Deni won't score much, except in transition.

I just hopes he works on that left hand more. He is a load when driving to his right, so much so, that teams have to get way out on his right hand to stop his drives. If he could just develop more comfort finishing left, he can make teams pay for shading his right hand.

Great breakdown/analysis. I was shocked at by some of the shots Deni was taking with confidence, he could be one of those players that if he hits his first couple of 3-pointers, Psychologically he is feeling it and it turns him into a different player, a couple of bad misses and the opposite is true.

[dobrojim]

his left...

you gotta believe the coaches and Deni himself understand he has that hole in his game.

So maybe in practice he should, with the encouragement of the coaches be doing everything
with his left.

Unless everyone is just kind of saying it is what it is and pointing to other successful
players who are much stronger to one side. I can't imagine that's the case but it doesn't
seem like he's gotten that much better to his left over the 4 years he's been a Wizard.

[NatP4]

Paying 26 year old Deni less than 12 million/year is going to be a crazy value.

Absolutely, IF he plays at a consistently high level more than one game out of every 10, his problem is his consistency, where has he been hiding last nights version of himself?

Meh. This team is intentionally configured to be awful. Deni shined last night because Poole didn’t play much or hijack the offense all night.

He is what he is, a solid player on a team friendly deal moving forward, with upside to become a really good impact player when it actually matters. I can’t complain, atleast we didn’t pick James freaking Wiseman 2nd overall

[2Fluffy4U]

More than individual differences between games, he is much affected by the team lineup.
When playing with Delon, BC and Kispert - he can shine (defensive mind oriented lineup, ball movement and cuttings on offense). When playing with Poole, Kuz and Tyus - he has a differnet role entirly (offensive lineup, mostly PNR and occasional ISOs).

[nate33]

More than individual differences between games, he is much affected by the team lineup.
When playing with Delon, BC and Kispert - he can shine (defensive mind oriented lineup, ball movement and cuttings on offense). When playing with Poole, Kuz and Tyus - he has a differnet role entirly (offensive lineup, mostly PNR and occasional ISOs).

Yeah, this is correct.

Avdija is at his best with the second unit where he gets more opportunities to handle the ball and plays with guys who know how to cut. It doesn't hurt that the opposition's second unit defenses are less talented and the scouting report isn't as fine tuned to stop him.

Deni is less effective as the 5th option in the starting lineup, but probably still better than the other options.

Ultimately, you gotta say that Wes Unseld Jr. is using Deni properly. He gives him nearly all the available 2nd unit minutes while also having him play enough minutes with the starters so that his total minutes per game is 4th highest on the team. My only minor quibble is I'd like to see Deni take a few more of Poole's minutes. Poole is currently averaging 29 mpg and Deni 27. I'd like to see that flipped.

[nate33]

It was notable that Deni played so well last night (against Brooklyn) when paired with Muscala. Muscala is a big who can set picks and stretch the floor, which opens up Deni's driving game so well.

Deni's on/off differential when paired with Muscala is higher than when paired with any other big. The same thing happened last year when Deni's pairing with Porzingis was much more effective than his pairing with Gafford. Deni likes playing with a pick-and-pop big, which makes sense since it's hard to get enough shooting on the floor when Deni is playing forward and shooting just 35% from 3-point range.

The fact that Deni is still posting career best numbers this year despite no longer playing regularly with a quality stretch big suggests that his true improvement is actually underestimated.

[DCZards]

The offensive game plan is a bigger problem than Deni’s weaknesses—or perceived weaknesses. Any game plan that has a player with Deni’s versatility as a ballhandler, passer, and penetrator standing in the corner while Kuz or Poole dominant the ball for 10-15 seconds is a bad game plan.

[NatP4]

The offensive game plan is a bigger problem than Deni’s weaknesses—or perceived weaknesses. Any game plan that has a player with Deni’s versatility as a ballhandler, passer, and penetrator standing in the corner while Kuz or Poole dominant the ball for 10-15 seconds is a bad game plan.

This is spot on. The truth is: any game plan centered around Kuzma and Poole is a bad game plan. Period.

[closg00]

The offensive game plan is a bigger problem than Deni’s weaknesses—or perceived weaknesses. Any game plan that has a player with Deni’s versatility as a ballhandler, passer, and penetrator standing in the corner while Kuz or Poole dominant the ball for 10-15 seconds is a bad game plan.

This is spot on. The truth is: any game plan centered around Kuzma and Poole is a bad game plan. Period.

Agreed

[Wizraeli]

Deni is number 1 in the NBA's Top 10 Plays Of The Night, that's his 3rd appearance this week after being at the 5th and 3rd places two days ago:

Watch on YouTube

[Kanyewest]

Back to back good games.

[gesa2]

Deni and Bilal are our 2 bright spots this year, nice since they are almost the only 2 players that really matter going forward.
An aside from the best plays of the week video - I am jealous of OKC fans. Watching Chet and SGA for the next 5-6 years is gonna be a lot of fun

[QMemphis]

Hey guys Grizz fan here, I see conflicting views on Deni and want to know what you guys would need to move him. Grizz can offer John Konchar, Bismack Biyombo, and Our 24 1st top 10 protected. Would you guys be interested and if not what would it take to close the gap?

[Frichuela]

Hey guys Grizz fan here, I see conflicting views on Deni and want to know what you guys would need to move him. Grizz can offer John Konchar, Bismack Biyombo, and Our 24 1st top 10 protected. Would you guys be interested and if not what would it take to close the gap?

Deni is signed to a team friendly 4-year extension and has improved his play along many dimensions from last season (points, FG %, assists etc.). He is a great team player (and our best defender currently), which means that you would have to offer much more for our FO to bite. Start with Aldama + your 2024 pick top 3 protected at the minimum.

[QMemphis]

Counter offer
Ziaire Williams, Bismack 24 1st top 5 protection for Deni. Gives you guys two lottery picks including your own likely and a young wing in ZW.

[gesa2]

I really like Deni but you’re getting close. You’re an injury away from playing as bad as you did the first month.