As NBA draft season starts to heat up, mock draft predictions are beginning to pour in. With the Golden State Warriors set to make their pick in the top-five, a group of high caliber prospects have been commonly linked to the Warriors across mock drafts.
Georgia’s Anthony Edwards, USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, Florida State’s Devin Vassell and Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton have all had their name listed alongside Golden State in mock predictions.
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However, in the latest CBS Sports Mock Draft, Kyle Boone has the Warriors moving out of the first overall selection to take Israeli prospect Deni Avdija. Golden State traded the first picks to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 3 overall selection.
According to Boone, the Maccabi Tel Aviv product could thrive alongside Golden State’s Splash Brother duo.
Via CBS Sports:
The Israeli star would be a perfect fit in Golden State’s selfless system where he could thrive as a secondary playmaker along Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson who can keep the ball moving, and it’d be a win for Golden State to get a talent like him while trading out of the No. 1 spot.
Via the rest of Boone’s mock draft via CBS Sports here.
Over 26 games for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Avdija is averaging 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and one block per contest. In Maccabi Tel Aviv’s latest game, Avdija led the team with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field with four triples. Avdija added seven boards, two assists and a block.
Watching Deni Avdija do everything is fun basketball. pic.twitter.com/4UMvoWedhC
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) July 7, 2020
With his ability to control the pace with his refined ball handling and eyes for a crafty pass, Avdija could immediately play a role in Steve Kerr’s second unit. The 6-foot-9 forward would give the Warriors a pair of fierce playmakers off the bench alongside Eric Paschall.
Avdija has the chance to contribute as a rookie, but the 19-year-old still has plenty of time to develop if he lands in Golden State’s system.
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