If the Atlanta Hawks succeed in hiring Masai Ujiri to become their next general manager, then BYU Cougars star Egor Demin will be a top candidate to come off the board at No. 13 overall. Much could change between now and the 2025 NBA Draft, but tying Atlanta's draft philosophy to Ujiri's track record is a safe bet until proven otherwise.
Working along those lines, Demin fits the bill of what Ujiri has prioritized throughout his Raptors tenure as far as adding young talent is concerned.
Ujiri has stacked the Raptors' roster with perimeter players who boast prototypical size and versatile skill sets. That list of players is headlined by Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, and Brandon Ingram, and continues with up-and-comers such as Jamison Battle, Jonathan Mogbo, and Ja'Kobe Walter.
Demin may not be a carbon copy of any of those players, but standing at 6'8.25" without shoes and 199 pounds with a 6'10.25" wingspan, the physical attributes fit the bill.
As far as his skill set is concerned, Demin has a strong case for being the best passer and all-around playmaker in his class. He sees the floor in a truly remarkable way and has a unique combination of accurate passes and a high vantage point.
The only obvious reason an Ujiri-led teams might not select Demin is the simple fact that he could enter top-10 conversations sooner than later.
Egor Demin a perfect fit for a Masai Ujiri Hawks team
Demin finished the 2024-25 season averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 three-point field goals made per game. Efficiency wasn't exactly his friend, however, as he posted a slash line of .412/.273/.695.
In conflict with his top-10 potential, Demin's inefficiency as a shooter may be the only reason Demin will be available when it's Atlanta's turn to find a late-lottery star at No. 13.
The key to Demin's appeal, however, is that he has the tools to contribute in every other phase of the game. His court vision is second to none, primarily due to his ability to push the pace and find his teammates in stride.
Considering both the Hawks and Raptors finished in the top 10 in pace in 2024-25, it's safe to say an Ujiri-led team would love to have a playmaker like Demin running the show.
As far as his fit with the Hawks' other pieces is concerned, Demin looks the part of a perfect addition. He can create easy looks for Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher in transition, all the while generating easier opportunities for them to convert their improving outside shots.
Demin also boasts remarkable defensive potential that could help Atlanta create a truly unique backcourt pairing with Dyson Daniels.
The key to his development will be refining his skill set to continue his emergence as a crafty player who can create for himself and others. As it stands, there are times when Demin looks unplayable as his sudden bursts of speed enable him to get to the rim and finish with either hand.
Upside will be the primary word surrounding Demin's name at the 2025 NBA Draft, and refinement will be crucial, but there's no way around how perfect he is for Ujiri's well-documented team-building strategy.