2020 NBA Mock Draft Version 5.0: Post trade deadline
7
Deni Avdija Forward, Israel
3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, 45% fg, 30% 3pt, 13 mpg
Washington decided to stand pat with Bradley Beal at the trade deadline, meaning that for at least until the Summer the Wizards are not rebuilding. Thus, taking a wing is the only logical move with this pick.
Unfortunately for Washington, the best available wing is a project piece. Deni Avdija is currently playing in the EuroLeague out of Israel, but getting very limited playing time. His athleticism and skill set as a point forward give him a very high ceiling, but it will take a few years for him to get to where he needs to be.
While Washington says their course of action is to win now, Advija will probably not be an instant contributor, he is the best player available at a positional need for Washington. Other wings in this draft are not worthy of being picked quite this high, which could even lead to the Wizards trading down.
For now, however, they will invest in the young Avdija and hope his many talents can come to fruition to get the franchise back on track.
Draft Stock Trend: -3
8
Onyeka Okongwu Center, Southern California
16.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 3.0 blocks, 60% fg, 0% 3pt, 30 mpg
After getting absolutely fleeced by Cleveland in the Andre Drummond deal, the Detroit Pistons find themselves in need of a new big. Onyeka Okongwu provides a similar style of play as Drummond did, but with more intensity on the defensive end.
Okongwu is a physical specimen who is simply too strong for opponents to handle. He does not project to become a modern, floor-spacing big man, but he is far and away the best center on the board.
The Pistons are in a strange situation, as they got no assets back for one of their franchise pieces and did nothing else to initiate the rebuilding process at the trade deadline.
Thus, no ‘official’ rebuild has begun in Michigan, leaving fans, players, and analysts alike confused on what the direction of the team is. Taking the best player available would be a wiser move here, but replacing Drummond with a similar player is the next logical move for now.