Gaining the 7th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Detroit Pistons’ GM, Troy Weaver and his front office, hope to strike gold in the draft, something the franchise has struggled to do for almost two decades. In the 2003 NBA Draft, the Pistons infamously chose an international player with the second pick. As history shows, this selection was one of the worst in NBA draft history, which created a negative connotation around the prospect of picking international players high in the draft. This has not stopped certain teams from choosing international prospects early in the draft, each with varying levels of success. However, the idea of an international prospect being taken at a high position is much more enticing following the successes of players like Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Luka has had monumental success in his very brief two years in the NBA, currently in a playoff battle with the juggernaut, championship favorite, Los Angeles Clippers. Deni Avdija has drawn many comparisons to the Mavericks’ star, however much like the majority of prospects in this year’s draft, there are still many question marks around Avdija. For a team like the Pistons, a player like Avdija who shows flashes of star-potential, is very enticing. However, if Deni Avdija is on the board for the Pistons at 7, they need to understand the risks of selecting the 19 year old, and if they’re worth the potential reward.
Strengths:
At 6 foot 9, 215 pounds, Avdija is the ideal size for a small forward. His size also allows for Avdija to be able to play at almost any position on the court. Avdija possesses an extremely high basketball IQ for a 19 year-old, which can translate very well in the NBA. He is also an exceptional passer and playmaker, his assist-to -turnover ratio is outstanding, and is one of the best in the 2020 draft class. His playmaking skills are one of many reasons he collected Fiba’s Under 20 Euroleague MVP award. Avdija is great in transition, so with teams moving into higher tempo offenses, his skill set will prove to be valuable. Surprisingly, for a small forward, Avdija excels when making plays in the pick and roll. He is a great cutter, and is a fantastic finisher. Deni is a serviceable creator off the dribble, and can be a primary ball handler if needed. He’s a solid interior defender, and an above average perimeter defender, an area the Pistons desperately need improvement in. Avdija has received high praise from his former coaches, saying he’s an extremely hard worker with a great mentality, which fits the mold of the ideal Detroit player.
In the Middle:
Although Avdija shot approximately 41 percent from three in Fiba’s U20 league, he ranks in the 29th percentile in overall shooting. His shot tends to be inconsistent, which could cause problems in the NBA if not amended. While he can score, he’s too inconsistent to be labeled a good scorer. Another question mark is his lack of causing turnovers defensively, being more of a presence but not causing enough difference.
Weaknesses:
Avdija often contorts his body into an unorthodox shape, which is a cause for his inconsistent shooting (see picture below). He also lacks explosiveness around the rim. Avdija tends to be overconfident in his shot, which causes forced shots which leads to lost opportunities. Another struggle for Deni tends to occur in isolation against players with better athleticism. Though he is skilled at getting to the rim, Avdija rarely gets to the free throw line. When he does, he’s a sub-par free throw shooter. Poor free throw shooting is a huge cause for concern in a small forward. Deni struggles as an on-ball defender, and tends to over rotate on defense. His footwork also needs improvement, but with a good coach, this can be fixed. As a result of his sub-optimal footwork and rotations, Avdija often finds himself in foul trouble.
Avdija’s Fit On The Pistons:
The Pistons have not had a serviceable wing since the days of Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris, in the Stan Van Gundy era. Avdija could prove to be a phenomenal fit with Detroit, as he helps on both ends of the ball, and has the locally revered, “Detroit grit”. His flaws are most certainly cause for concern, however none of which are things that can’t be amended with the expertise of head coach, Dwane Casey. Casey is an acclaimed developmental coach, following his time with the Toronto Raptors. If the Pistons were to select Deni Avdija, the Pistons would likely have their front court for the future in Deni Avdija, Sekou Doumbouya, and Christian Wood (if the Pistons are able to re-sign Wood). Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, Pascal Siakam, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, have all given reason to believe a duo of Sekou Doumbouya and Deni Avdija could very enticing for fans. Avdija has superstar potential, and fits Detroit’s rebuilding timeline, so this pick would make a lot of sense for this Pistons’ team desperate to bring in as much talent as possible.
Comparison: Gordon Hayward/ Danilo Galinari with a hint of Luka Doncic like playmaking.
Piston Territory 