Deni Avdija Full "UNGUARDABLE" 2019/20 Highlights ● The Next STAR!

[Jamaaliver]

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[Spud2nique]

I don’t like this guy for us. I dunno. I’m starting to sound like KG. Hate everyone soon. I went from being accused of loving everyone to a 180! Thanks!

[Jamaaliver]

Deni Avdija (Israel, SF/PF, 2001)

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One of the few eligible prospects back in action, Deni Avdija is using these final games to strengthen his case.

In three Israeli BSL appearances over the past two weeks, it's looked easy for the 19-year-old combo forward against lower-level competition. He's averaged 17.3 points, 6.3 boards and 3.0 assists on 7-of-15 shooting from three.

Avdija looks visibly stronger and immediately stands out physically despite his age. He's had some impressive moments handling the ball in transition or blowing by defenders for layups. And since his return, his jump shot and free throws (11-of-16) have fallen.

Some scouts still question his level of shot creation and history of shooting inconsistency, concerns that lower his perceived trajectory and lead to him topping out as a role player.

But Avdija appears to have one of the draft's higher floors based on his positional tools and versatility to dribble, finish, shot-make and pass.

Bleacher Report

[Spud2nique]

11-16 FT is under 69%. That’s supposed to be good?

[Jamaaliver]

Does his personal success (or his team's success) elevate this kid's prospects in anyone's eyes?

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[Worst_to_First]

Just wanted to ask you guys if any of you are worried about Deni’s short wingspan (relative to his height).

[Jamaaliver]

Just wanted to ask you guys if any of you are worried about Deni’s short wingspan (relative to his height).

Meh.

John Collins reportedly fell out of the lottery in the draft years ago in part because of his underwhelming wingspan compared to his height...but he's been successful because of other attributes he brings to the table.

It isn't a deal breaker if you really like a player.

[BlazersBroncos]

As an outsider I love Deni in Atlanta as the secondary ballhandler. Allow Young to run off ball more like Curry to get him easier shots from time to time. Use the cap space on Joe Harris and sign a defender like Kris Dunn and run:

G - Trae Young / Kris Dunn
G - Joe Harris / Kevin Huerter
F - DeAndre Hunter / Deni Avedija
F - John Collins / Cam Reddish
C - Clint Capella / Dewayne Deadmon / Bruno Fernando

[jayu70]

As an outsider I love Deni in Atlanta as the secondary ballhandler. Allow Young to run off ball more like Curry to get him easier shots from time to time. Use the cap space on Joe Harris and sign a defender like Kris Dunn and run:

G - Trae Young / Kris Dunn
G - Joe Harris / Kevin Huerter
F - DeAndre Hunter / Deni Avedija
F - John Collins / Cam Reddish
C - Clint Capella / Dewayne Deadmon / Bruno Fernando

Reddish isn't a PF he is SG/SF. Hunter can play spot minutes at PF when we go small with Collins at Center.
Deni would be the backup PF.

[tbhawksfan1]

As an outsider I love Deni in Atlanta as the secondary ballhandler. Allow Young to run off ball more like Curry to get him easier shots from time to time. Use the cap space on Joe Harris and sign a defender like Kris Dunn and run:

G - Trae Young / Kris Dunn
G - Joe Harris / Kevin Huerter
F - DeAndre Hunter / Deni Avedija
F - John Collins / Cam Reddish
C - Clint Capella / Dewayne Deadmon / Bruno Fernando

Reddish isn't a PF he is SG/SF. Hunter can play spot minutes at PF when we go small with Collins at Center.
Deni would be the backup PF.

Seems like signing a starter at any position and drafting another high lottery pick would create a real problem with development minutes for someone.

I'm more interested in a Bertans type signing as a rotation/depth guy and continuing to develop our internal guys.

[King Ken]

As an outsider I love Deni in Atlanta as the secondary ballhandler. Allow Young to run off ball more like Curry to get him easier shots from time to time. Use the cap space on Joe Harris and sign a defender like Kris Dunn and run:

G - Trae Young / Kris Dunn
G - Joe Harris / Kevin Huerter
F - DeAndre Hunter / Deni Avedija
F - John Collins / Cam Reddish
C - Clint Capella / Dewayne Deadmon / Bruno Fernando

Your clearly an outsider. Cam as a PF is hilarious and awful at best.

[King Ken]

As an outsider I love Deni in Atlanta as the secondary ballhandler. Allow Young to run off ball more like Curry to get him easier shots from time to time. Use the cap space on Joe Harris and sign a defender like Kris Dunn and run:

G - Trae Young / Kris Dunn
G - Joe Harris / Kevin Huerter
F - DeAndre Hunter / Deni Avedija
F - John Collins / Cam Reddish
C - Clint Capella / Dewayne Deadmon / Bruno Fernando

Reddish isn't a PF he is SG/SF. Hunter can play spot minutes at PF when we go small with Collins at Center.
Deni would be the backup PF.

This. I really don't see any reason to choose Deni over Toppin if we had a chance at either. Toppin is a superior offensive talent and neither is projected to be decent defensive players at they are best suited at the 4. I like Deni but if we draft him, Toppin, Okoro, Edwards, and Haliburton better be off the board.

[Jamaaliver]

2. Deni Avdija (Maccabi Tel Aviv, SF/PF, 2001)

Draft projection: Top 10

Deni Avdija's case has only gotten stronger after the Israeli BSL returned to action in June. MVP and league champion have been added to his resume. He took on a bigger workload compared to his role in EuroLeague, giving scouts an opportunity to see more of his scoring and playmaking potential with the offense running through him.

In 12 games since play resumed, Avdija averaged 14.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 32.8 percent from three.
At 6'8", he's put on considerable muscle, which helps for playing through contact on drives and finishes but also allows him to play power forward, where his lack of wiggle won't be as big an issue.

His upside shines most on grab-and-go transition takes and ball screens. He's strong and fast in the open floor, and he shows a comfort level making reads and passes off the dribble. Despite an inconsistent jumper and poor free-throw numbers, he hit 61 threes in a total of 59 games, looking plenty competent when set. A first-time viewer watching him release would likely be surprised to learn that shooting isn't considered a strength.

Defensively, Avdija's results have been mixed, but a path to become useful in the NBA exists. He's vulnerable guarding in space away from the basket, but he still guards with effort. He's better suited to defend 4s, using his strength and willingness to get physical in the post. And he plays with an encouraging sense of alertness and IQ for making rotations and reads off the ball.

Overall, some scouts still question how effective Avdija's creation will be against NBA defenses given his higher center of gravity when ball-handling. And his ceiling will take a hit if he continues to shoot below 35 percent from deep. But his body, versatility, competitiveness, effectiveness against pros and willingness to play different roles all point to Avdija possessing one of the draft's highest floors. He projects as a fit for every team in the lottery.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

I'm seeing a consensus starting to form with us taking Deni outside the top 3...

NBA mock draft: New 2020 lottery picks and latest movement

4. Atlanta Hawks | No. 1 pick odds: 12.5%

Deni Avdija
Maccabi Tel Aviv
G/F
Age: 19.6

Avdija's draft range: Nos. 3-7

Avdija is a power forward-sized wing with the skill set of a guard, giving him unique positional versatility to tap into on a Hawks team that will be looking to take the next step toward a playoff berth. He played more than 60 games this season, far beyond what teams have seen from most of his fellow prospects. His stellar international résumé indicates he could impact winning almost immediately.

ESPN Insider

Matching top prospects with needs of top lottery teams

Atlanta Hawks: Versatility — Forward Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv



Picking in the lottery for their third straight season, Atlanta looks well on its way out of the basement of the Eastern Conference and towards the postseason next year.

Loaded with young talent including All-Star guard Trae Young and forward John Collins, the Hawks should be eyeing additional depth and shooting with their lottery pick this year.

Despite picking up a pair of young wings last year in DeAndre Hunter and Cameron Reddish, the Hawks should continue to add to its strength with Israeli forward Deni Avdija in this year’s first round.

Drawing close comparisons to Hedo Türkoğlu Avdija brings shooting, basketball IQ, and versatility that is coveted in today’s NBA. A recipient of high praise from a series of European basketball pundits, Avdija recently capped off his final season in Israel by capturing his third consecutive league championship for Maccabi Tel Aviv, all before celebrating his 20th birthday.

Avdija, like most European prospects, will require ample time and opportunity to develop in the NBA. And despite a handful of other pro-ready college players being available, his capability of guarding multiple positions and overall upside makes him worth the risk for a team in Atlanta’s position. As he’ll fit right into the young core they’ve built as they aim to contend for their first postseason berth since 2017, next season.

Busting Brackets

[King Ken]

I don't understand how people love to bring up defense every minute with Toppin but Deni in the NBA will be just as bad on defense and isn't close to him offensively. Insane!

[jayu70]

I don't understand how people love to bring up defense every minute with Toppin but Deni in the NBA will be just as bad on defense and isn't close to him offensively. Insane!

Simple for me.
I see Toppin as more of a Collins duplicate, Strictly a PF with defensive questions. Which we have on the roster
Deni is a SF/PF with passing/play making skills, able to facilitate for himself or others on the break which is something we don't curently have on our roster at this position. Concern over defense as well.

[King Ken]

I don't understand how people love to bring up defense every minute with Toppin but Deni in the NBA will be just as bad on defense and isn't close to him offensively. Insane!

Simple for me.
I see Toppin as more of a Collins duplicate, Strictly a PF with defensive questions. Which we have on the roster
Deni is a SF/PF with passing/play making skills, able to facilitate for himself or others on the break which is something we don't curently have on our roster at this position. Concern over defense as well.

He does a lot more than John on offense, not saying he is as good but he does a lot more and I am not convinced he is as good at the PnR as John is right now ever but I am convinced he is a better offensive talent with a better mind. I hate that he gets hit with the Amar'e, John, Jabari rubbish when hes a far better offensive talent.

That said, Deni can play on the perimeter full time on offense but defensively, he's a 4. So how is that gonna work?

To me, this is like taking a Boris Diaw mixed with Nic Batum type over an offensive star. I can't do it. This is some shoot your self in the foot nonsense.

[King Ken]

Denimania - https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2905180-2020-nba-draft-lottery-buzz-the-mystery-begins-right-at-the-top.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

[arusinov]

That said, Deni can play on the perimeter full time on offense but defensively, he's a 4. So how is that gonna work?

To me, this is like taking a Boris Diaw mixed with Nic Batum type over an offensive star. I can't do it. This is some shoot your self in the foot nonsense.

Well. Deni never played 4. He played exclusively wing in Euroleague, and was considered above-average defender there (which is extremely rare for 19 years old kid - I think Rubio was the only other young player regarded this way before NBA draft) . I don't understand why people are so sure that he can't defend wings...

[Jamaaliver]

Pro Player Comparisons for Projected Lottery Picks

Deni Avdija: Gordon Hayward



Deni Avdija's physical profile and game mirror Gordon Hayward's 6'7", 225-pound size and offensive versatility.

They're best as secondary or complementary scorers. Neither are the most advanced shot-creators, but they can drive and shot-make from the mid-range and three. They're able to work from off the ball or with it in ball-screen situations. And both log minutes as combo forwards at the 3 and 4, thanks to their size, perimeter skills and improved frames. Avdija already looks stronger than Hayward did coming into the league.

Like Hayward, who averaged 4.1 assists this season, Avdija can also pass and play-make, which he was only able to show in spurts with Maccabi Tel Aviv. For Israel at the U20 European Championships, he averaged 5.3 assists, playing the role of point-wing.

Avdija won't be the focal point of a winning team's offense, but he has the chance develop into a star role player who scores and passes, ideally as a third option.

Bleacher Report