Wagner vs Avdija vs Markkanen

[durantbird]

Three international long forwards, all starting the season nicely after a good FIBA European championship.

How would you rate them now and going forward?

[penbeast0]

Markkanen is at the bottom of this list for me. In 8 NBA seasons, he has yet to play 70 games and you can't produce impact if you aren't on the floor. If he could stay out there, his combination of scoring and efficiency was the highest of the three until last year though probably the worst defensively. Wagner scores more, Deni is more efficient but in a less dominant role in their offense. I'd say right now, Wagner has the edge as he's been at this level for 2+ years where Avdija has only had 1 good year so hasn't established that level of performance as his norm yet.

[Texas Chuck]

I think all of them are lessor players than their reputations. Deni gets a big bump because he makes relatively little money so people focus on the value more than the actual play.

Deni is probably the best player for a contender because he's the easiest to plug in around an actual franchise player. Lauri in theory would be the best option if you had to build a team around one of the three, but I strongly don't recommend that. Wagner, in theory is the best of the bunch, but we've had quite a bit of time already for that theory to become reality and it just hasn't. If he was American, he'd probably be seen as Chandler Parsons as opposed to a supposed future star.

[ShotCreator]

Franz was top 10 on impact as a two-way point forward before Paolo came back and there is no synergy at all since.

I’m low on Lauri, he really doesn’t play his size, and doesn’t have a complete game. Deni seems better but I need to watch him more to be sure.

[Billl]

Not considering contracts, I've got them Franz, Deni, Lauri. Deni is obviously currently on a value contract now.