Deni Avdija

[NatP4]

That’s fair, but really the only thing he didn’t do well is shoot 3s. 59.6% on 2s and 10 points 6.6 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal with 1.8 turnovers per36. Pretty good stuff for a 19 year old in the 2nd best league in the world.

He just chucked a bunch of 3s and didn’t make very many.

[doclinkin]

That’s fair, but really the only thing he didn’t do well is shoot 3s. 59.6% on 2s and 10 points 6.6 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal with 1.8 turnovers per36. Pretty good stuff for a 19 year old in the 2nd best league in the world.

He just chucked a bunch of 3s and didn’t make very many.

And he fouled a lot relative to his minutes. And he didn't force Free Throws. And he missed half the FT's he took. His Euro stats were really unimpressive compared to his Israeli league play.

[NatP4]

That’s fair, but really the only thing he didn’t do well is shoot 3s. 59.6% on 2s and 10 points 6.6 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal with 1.8 turnovers per36. Pretty good stuff for a 19 year old in the 2nd best league in the world.

He just chucked a bunch of 3s and didn’t make very many.

And he fouled a lot relative to his minutes. And he didn't force Free Throws. And he missed half the FT's he took. His Euro stats were really unimpressive compared to his Israeli league play.

There’s really no reason to compare those two leagues or his role with either team, I was comparing his euroleague stats to Patrick Williams in college basketball playing against North Alabama, whatever that is.

[DCZards]

That’s fair, but really the only thing he didn’t do well is shoot 3s. 59.6% on 2s and 10 points 6.6 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal with 1.8 turnovers per36. Pretty good stuff for a 19 year old in the 2nd best league in the world.

He just chucked a bunch of 3s and didn’t make very many.

And he fouled a lot relative to his minutes. And he didn't force Free Throws. And he missed half the FT's he took. His Euro stats were really unimpressive compared to his Israeli league play.

There’s really no reason to compare those two leagues or his role with either team, I was comparing his euroleague stats to Patrick Williams in college basketball playing against North Alabama, whatever that is.

Why is there even a need to compare Deni & Williams? Or be so dismissive of Williams and who he played against. Neither player has done squat in the NBA so let's see how it plays out over the next few weeks. I'm expecting both Deni & Williams to be among the top 5-6 players from this draft.

[payitforward]

Interesting. I wonder what the Wizards were willing to give up to move to 4.

I have to figure it was TBJ. I don't think they would have traded Rui (considering the international ties and the fact we don't have a PF on the roster besides him).

Bulls must have PTSD from Porter and/or Satoransky Wizards glue guys if they turned down that trade.

You think they were willing to trade Brown to move up 5 spots? What an idea.... That would make no sense whatever -- & no team would turn that trade down.

[payitforward]

Chase Hughes reported that the wizards attempted to trade up to 4 with Chicago in order to pick Deni but the price was too high. Said they were certain NY would select him at 8 and were “shocked” that he dropped to 9.

Whether this is true or not, the reality is that we got very lucky with Deni dropping to 9.

Absolutely! Plus it's a relief to know we were smart enough to take advantage of that luck!

[nate33]

I have to figure it was TBJ. I don't think they would have traded Rui (considering the international ties and the fact we don't have a PF on the roster besides him).

Bulls must have PTSD from Porter and/or Satoransky Wizards glue guys if they turned down that trade.

You think they were willing to trade Brown to move up 5 spots? What an idea.... That would make no sense whatever -- & no team would turn that trade down.

My guess is that they asked for Brown and that's when we turned it down. We probably offered Wagner and a 2nd or something like that.

[payitforward]

And he fouled a lot relative to his minutes. And he didn't force Free Throws. And he missed half the FT's he took. His Euro stats were really unimpressive compared to his Israeli league play.

There’s really no reason to compare those two leagues or his role with either team, I was comparing his euroleague stats to Patrick Williams in college basketball playing against North Alabama, whatever that is.

Why is there even a need to compare Deni & Williams? Or be so dismissive of Williams and who he played against. Neither player has done squat in the NBA so let's see how it plays out over the next few weeks. I'm expecting both Deni & Williams to be among the top 5-6 players from this draft.

Actually, I don't even think we're in a position to know that much (or anything much at all) about either player! Could be a couple of stars. Could be a couple of bums.

The question about Williams is a different one -- & unrelated. Until about 3 weeks before the draft, I never saw him listed in the top dozen players on any mock whatever. Then he zoomed up the boards! Very unusual. Sort of like Paul Reed inside out -- for quite some time Reed was mocked in the early 20s, but he wound up being ignored until the 58th pick!

Less extreme but along the same lines, a lot of folks here were thinking Precious Achiuwa would be a good pick at #9. Instead he dropped down #20.

I wonder what would have happened had the draft been held in June as usual? We'll never know.

One thing seems obvious: Williams must have had some strong workouts!

[prime1time]

I like Williams. The dude is so young and is already a solid player. He projects as an elite defender that can guard 1-4 and small ball 5's and he has the tools to grow offensively. He just turned 19. I would have been happy if he fell to us. In the right environment, he can develop into a really good 2-way player.

[Ruzious]

I like Williams. The dude is so young and is already a solid player. He projects as an elite defender that can guard 1-4 and small ball 5's and he has the tools to grow offensively. He just turned 19. I would have been happy if he fell to us. In the right environment, he can develop into a really good 2-way player.

He's a fine long-term prospect. The problem was picking him that high. I really doubt he's already a solid player - I think he's a project; and if I was going to pick a project, I'd prefer Poku.

[pcbothwel]

I like Williams. The dude is so young and is already a solid player. He projects as an elite defender that can guard 1-4 and small ball 5's and he has the tools to grow offensively. He just turned 19. I would have been happy if he fell to us. In the right environment, he can develop into a really good 2-way player.

No he doesnt. It may sound like semantics, but people seem to use the term "Elite Defender" when a guy simply looks versatile. There is a difference.
Patrick Williams is young and appears to have a good head on his shoulders... But he is simply a above average athlete with average measurements and limited skill. I think there is some projection as a C&S guy from 3, but his ball handling/skill is limited and his awareness on both ends of the court are pedestrian (See rebounds and AST/TOV ratio)

[payitforward]

One thing I take away from Williams being picked so early is how uncertain people were about the top picks in this draft.

Edwards, Wiseman & Ball all came with serious questions. Okoro was thought of as primarily a defensive player (unusual for a defense-oriented 3 to go at the very top of the draft?). Toppin was viewed as flawed. Hayes & Avdija were both foreign players. Etc. etc. etc.

Maybe this helps explain why Williams (& Jalen Smith as well) suddenly zoomed up the board? Who knows..., but it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

Actually, the uncertainty didn't end after the lottery. 8 of the 15 picks in the last half of R1 were traded. & then 9 of the next 12 were traded! Then 5 of the last 9 picks in R2 were also traded.

Some of these were 2-step trades -- first to one team then to another. Counting all these, there were 28 trades for 60 picks!

I can't recall any previous draft that went anything like this.

[NatP4]

Williams ceiling is probably a 3&D wing, but why would you not just pick Okoro then? Williams didn’t make 3s in college, he rebounds like a 2/3, 7 rebounds per 40....his basketball IQ is seriously lacking. Averaged almost twice as many turnovers as assists. He has little to no potential as a ball handler. I’m not sure what he does well to be honest. It’s the type of pick i would be seriously disappointed in at the 20-30 range. Just looking at picks 5-12 after Williams, it’s just bizarre.

[dckingsfan]

One thing I take away from Williams being picked so early is how uncertain people were about the top picks in this draft...

This. And for that I give our GM massive props on the Avdija pick (of course, the Chinese proverb, "we will see" comes into play). Although I could have seen some better moves in the 2nd round.

I am not so forgiving on the Lopez signing (even though it is one year). Do you think Tommy's mantra of Bryant is our started scared Nerlens Noel off or he was just never a target... I guess this part should be in the Lopez thread.

[DCZards]

Williams ceiling is probably a 3&D wing, but why would you not just pick Okoro then? Williams didn’t make 3s in college, he rebounds like a 2/3, 7 rebounds per 40....his basketball IQ is seriously lacking. Averaged almost twice as many turnovers as assists. He has little to no potential as a ball handler. I’m not sure what he does well to be honest. It’s the type of pick i would be seriously disappointed in at the 20-30 range. Just looking at picks 5-12 after Williams, it’s just bizarre.

Maybe Williams moved up in the draft and ended up going #4 because those teams that worked him out, interviewed him, etc. know more about him and his skills and IQ than those of us on the outside looking in. And these teams like what they saw and learned. (For example, some teams may have t come to the inclusion that Williams is a better 3 pt shooter than the small sample size in college indicates.)

Again, he just turned 19 in August...a lot of time and opportunity for growth...or for him to be a bust. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Dat2U]

Bulls must have PTSD from Porter and/or Satoransky Wizards glue guys if they turned down that trade.

You think they were willing to trade Brown to move up 5 spots? What an idea.... That would make no sense whatever -- & no team would turn that trade down.

My guess is that they asked for Brown and that's when we turned it down. We probably offered Wagner and a 2nd or something like that.

I knew it! I called it before the draft. I suggested based on Shepp's past track record, he loves Avdija and wants to trade up for him. I wish I could find that post lol.

[NatP4]

Williams ceiling is probably a 3&D wing, but why would you not just pick Okoro then? Williams didn’t make 3s in college, he rebounds like a 2/3, 7 rebounds per 40....his basketball IQ is seriously lacking. Averaged almost twice as many turnovers as assists. He has little to no potential as a ball handler. I’m not sure what he does well to be honest. It’s the type of pick i would be seriously disappointed in at the 20-30 range. Just looking at picks 5-12 after Williams, it’s just bizarre.

Maybe Williams moved up in the draft and ended up going #4 because those teams that worked him out, interviewed him, etc. know more about him and his skills and IQ than those of us on the outside looking in. And these teams like what they saw and learned. (For example, some teams may have t come to the inclusion that Williams is a better 3 pt shooter than the small sample size in college indicates.)

Again, he just turned 19 in August...a lot of time and opportunity for growth...or for him to be a bust. We'll just have to wait and see.

The bulls have picked Bobby Portis, Wendell Carter, Coby White, Denzel Valentine, and now Patrick Williams with their last 5 1st round picks. Does it get worse than that?

And obviously we don’t know how his career will turn out, that’s what this board it for, speculating, but I would encourage you to head over to the bulls board to read their reaction to the pick. Priceless.

[Ruzious]

Williams ceiling is probably a 3&D wing, but why would you not just pick Okoro then? Williams didn’t make 3s in college, he rebounds like a 2/3, 7 rebounds per 40....his basketball IQ is seriously lacking. Averaged almost twice as many turnovers as assists. He has little to no potential as a ball handler. I’m not sure what he does well to be honest. It’s the type of pick i would be seriously disappointed in at the 20-30 range. Just looking at picks 5-12 after Williams, it’s just bizarre.

Maybe Williams moved up in the draft and ended up going #4 because those teams that worked him out, interviewed him, etc. know more about him and his skills and IQ than those of us on the outside looking in. And these teams like what they saw and learned. (For example, some teams may have t come to the inclusion that Williams is a better 3 pt shooter than the small sample size in college indicates.)

Again, he just turned 19 in August...a lot of time and opportunity for growth...or for him to be a bust. We'll just have to wait and see.

That's usually the case when a team with a good track record like San Antonio makes the pick, but I'm skeptical when an organization like Chicago makes it.

[Kanyewest]

Williams ceiling is probably a 3&D wing, but why would you not just pick Okoro then? Williams didn’t make 3s in college, he rebounds like a 2/3, 7 rebounds per 40....his basketball IQ is seriously lacking. Averaged almost twice as many turnovers as assists. He has little to no potential as a ball handler. I’m not sure what he does well to be honest. It’s the type of pick i would be seriously disappointed in at the 20-30 range. Just looking at picks 5-12 after Williams, it’s just bizarre.

Maybe Williams moved up in the draft and ended up going #4 because those teams that worked him out, interviewed him, etc. know more about him and his skills and IQ than those of us on the outside looking in. And these teams like what they saw and learned. (For example, some teams may have t come to the inclusion that Williams is a better 3 pt shooter than the small sample size in college indicates.)

Again, he just turned 19 in August...a lot of time and opportunity for growth...or for him to be a bust. We'll just have to wait and see.

The bulls have picked Bobby Portis, Wendell Carter, Coby White, Denzel Valentine, and now Patrick Williams with their last 5 1st round picks. Does it get worse than that?

And obviously we don’t know how his career will turn out, that’s what this board it for, speculating, but I would encourage you to head over to the bulls board to read their reaction to the pick. Priceless.

Lauri was also technically picked by the Bulls in 2017.

[NatP4]

Yes true, couldn’t remember if Lauri was a draft night trade or later on. His career has also been mediocre at best.