9
Deni Avdija Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C.
4.0 points, 2.6 rebouds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.2 blocks, 44% fg, 28% 3pt, 14 mpg
For the second straight mock, the Washington Wizards select Deni Avdija out of the EuroLeague. Avdija is considered one of the most talented players in this draft as a point forward. Unfortunately limited playing time with Tel Aviv does not give scouts enough film as some NCAA products, thus making him a bit of a mystery prospect.
What we do know about Avdija is that he is a gifted passer and inside scorer who needs a bit of work on his deep ball. Although a gifted passer, Avdija is known to be a bit too passive at times, which should go away with confidence. At 6-foot-9, Avdija has phenomenal length at small forward, although he will need to add some muscle to fill out his lanky frame. He has the ability to run the floor and find his teammates, as some scouts believe that he could eventually run an NBA offense.
Another attribute that Avdija has been praised for is his outstanding work ethic, which is especially important for project players such as himself. His whit coupled with the will to improve has to be reassuring for general managers, although he very well could be a bust.
Washington has had a hole at the small forward since dealing Otto Porter to Chicago. With the team reluctant to blow things up, taking Avdija is the best of both worlds in that he has a high ceiling and fills a positional need for the playoff-hopeful Wizards in 2020-2021.
Draft Stock Trend: -2
10
Tyrese Haliburton Guard, Iowa State University
15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.7 blocks, 50% fg, 42% 3pt, 37 mpg
The Phoenix Suns have found a viable point guard for the time being in Ricky Rubio, but to think that the 31-year-old will be the long-term answer at the one is foolish. Monty Williams’ offensive sets in Phoenix have largely been a consequence of having an elite passer, like Rubio, at the reins of the offense.
Haliburton has the potential to be a better version of Rubio, as he is more athletic, longer, a better defender, and a better shooter. Haliburton could take a year or two to play off of the bench and learn from Rubio and eventually assume the starting role.
Haliburton is a phenomenal prospect, but his game does not come without concerns. Haliburton had a plethora of questions regarding his jumper going into his sophomore season, but he was able to put some of these questions to rest by immensely improving his deep ball. His mechanics are quite strange and subject to criticism, but if he continues to hit three point shots, these question marks will definitely fade away.
Haliburton would make a great pick-and-roll partner for DeAndre Ayton and distributor for Devin Booker to focus more on doing what he does best: score. Essentially, adding Haliburton would be getting a younger, higher-ceiling, and better shooting player than an individual who has transcended the Phoenix offense in Ricky Rubio.