NBA Draft 2020: Matching top prospects with needs of top lottery teams
By Tim Edmonds
Atlanta Hawks: Versatility — Forward Deni Avdija, Maccabi Tel Aviv
Picking in the lottery for their third straight season, Atlanta looks well on its way out of the basement of the Eastern Conference and towards the postseason next year.
Loaded with young talent including All-Star guard Trae Young and forward John Collins, the Hawks should be eyeing additional depth and shooting with their lottery pick this year.
Despite picking up a pair of young wings last year in DeAndre Hunter and Cameron Reddish, the Hawks should continue to add to its strength with Israeli forward Deni Avdija in this year’s first round.
Drawing close comparisons to Hedo Türkoğlu Avdija brings shooting, basketball IQ, and versatility that is coveted in today’s NBA. A recipient of high praise from a series of European basketball pundits, Avdija recently capped off his final season in Israel by capturing his third consecutive league championship for Maccabi Tel Aviv, all before celebrating his 20th birthday.
Avdija, like most European prospects, will require ample time and opportunity to develop in the NBA. And despite a handful of other pro-ready college players being available, his capability of guarding multiple positions and overall upside makes him worth the risk for a team in Atlanta’s position. As he’ll fit right into the young core they’ve built as they aim to contend for their first postseason berth since 2017, next season.