Full Two-Round NBA Mock Draft Pre-March Madness
By Dallin Duffy
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Atlanta Hawks. player. SF, Israel. Deni Avdija. 4. 125
As the Hawks near the end of their rebuild, they can afford to take a bit of a chance on a boom-or-bust prospect. There’s a few of those types in this year’s draft, but Avdija makes the most sense for Atlanta, and probably the “safest” of them.
the International prospect could potentially play four positions in the pros with his 6’9 frame, and and ability to run an offense. He has great mobility and handling for his size, potentially fitting the point-forward archetype that’s popular in the modern NBA.
As a scorer he can make his own shots, but also has a jumper ripe for catch-and-shoot opportunities. That, combined with his cutting ability makes him a fun beneficiary of Trae Young‘s passes.
Despite his solid jumper, Avdija has oddly struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 52 percent from the stripe. That’s the biggest knock on the 19-year-old, and could take a few years to improve.
The Hawks took two wings (Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter) in the top-ten last year, but with Advija’s versatility, all three could be a part of the team’s future.