The Golden State Warriors had the worst record in the NBA last season, thus granting them the second overall pick in this years’ draft. They now have a big decision to make come draft day.
The Golden State Warriors are picking second in the draft, and have plenty of good players to choose from at that spot. No one is really sure what they will do given the number of options they have.
One player that may be available when they pick is Deni Avdija. Demi is an Israeli-Serbian 19 year old who plays in the EuroLeague. Yes, The last few big names to come from the EuroLeague were very good. However, there are a few reasons that the Warriors should not draft Deni Avdija.
He isn’t ready for the NBA
Deni Avdija has played professionally for two years now. However, he has not played as good of competition as what it is the NBA.
In the EuroLeague, Deni played for the Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv. In his second year with the team, Deni played just 14 minutes a game. Deni also played a combined 34 games in his two years as a pro.
Deni Avdija Is 6’9” and 220 pounds. So I don’t think him getting no playing time was because of his size like it sometimes is in high school basketball.
I think Deni Avdija has not had enough experience at the European level to be such a high pick in this year’s draft. If he can go back to the EuroLeague for one more year, and play a whole season it would benefit him hugely.
He does not look very good on paper
Deni Avdija’s numbers are not very good for someone who is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
In his first season of EuroLeague play with Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Deni averaged just three points per game on six minutes per game.
The next year, Deni would play eight more minutes a game, and score about the same amount of points per game.
I have seen scouts say that he does more than just score, but I don’t see that either. He averaged just one assist and two rebounds a game in his second year.
Deni Avdija has the stats of a junior varsity basketball player, and quite frankly I don’t see where all the hype is coming from. If I’m the Warriors, I am steering clear of Avdija. But who knows, maybe he can be the next Luka Doncic.