When healthy, the Golden State Warriors don’t have many holes in their starting lineup. With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson — the Splash Brothers — manning the backcourt positions, Draymond Green a constant at power forward and former first overall pick Andrew Wiggins joining the party as the team’s small forward, the only position that could use a jump start is center.
Then again, former lottery pick Marquese Chriss has been playing well at the pivot for Golden State and the Warriors likely have a desire to replicate the dominant small-ball lineups that fueled their championship runs. If that’s, the team will be looking at a defensive-minded wing who can be a playmaker, much like they had in 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.
When looking at the top prospects in the upcoming NBA Draft, one particular player appears to fit the mold of what Iguodala brought to Golden State: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Deni Avdija.
A player who can be a playmaker and versatile defender, and perhaps just as importantly, a role player.
Averaging 7.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals per game this season (13.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 blocks per 36 minutes) while shooting 53.1 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three, his versatility is highlighted statistically. His scoring will hardly blow you away but a 19-year-old who won Tournament MVP honors in the FIBA U20 Championship just last summer is worthy of a close look.
Deni Avdija showed a little of everything on both ends of the floor in Israel’s U20 win over Spain. Made shots off the catch, attacked closeouts, knocked down a pull up 3, made others around him better and protected the rim. 18.4 PTS, 8.3 REB, 5.3 AST, 2.1 STL, 2.4 BLK in 7 games pic.twitter.com/JG8oh4CxMx
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) July 22, 2019
6’9” and nearly 220 pounds with a 8’10” standing reach, Avdija is capable of guarding both forward positions. That, along with his ability to make plays on both ends of the ball, allows him to be an ideal fit for a Warriors “Death Lineup,” with Curry, Thompson and Wiggins at point guard, shooting guard and small forward and Green at center.
Moreso than any player at the top of the draft, aside from Washington’s Jaden McDaniels (who checks in at 6’10”, 185 pounds).
The problem with McDaniels, however, is that he’s talented but raw. He’s inefficient and streaky, shooting 39.6 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three. If the Warriors were to select McDaniels, he would be less of a sure thing than the Israeli forward.
Avdija may not be a sexy name.
However, he should be the first-round prospect donning a Warriors jersey next season. If Golden State ends up with the first overall pick, they would be prudent to trade with a team salivating over University of Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards, a high-volume scorer and playmaker who is the best player in the draft but one who doesn’t fit what the Warriors currently need in terms of skillset or size (like D’Angelo Russell, who was also 6’5”).
Trading back between picks three and five could keep Golden State in great position for sustained dominance, as they would likely net another future first-round pick.
With Curry set to return in early March, Golden State may be out of the running for the first overall pick, although the NBA Draft Lottery is always full of surprises. Nonetheless, the player they need should still be available, with Edwards, Memphis center James Wiseman and Illawarra Hawks point guard LaMelo Ball largely considered the top three prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft.