NBA Draft 2020: Mock Draft 5.0
125. . Wing (Maccabi Tel Aviv). Atlanta Hawks. Deni Avdija. 7. player
The Hawks are on the verge of a breakthrough. Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela, and Cam Reddish is a core to bank on. With plenty of cap space and another lottery pick, the Hawks could make noise as soon as next season. It therefore makes sense to target a prospect who can contribute immediately.
Deni Avdija was a major contributor for Maccabi Tel Aviv, one of the premier franchises in Europe. He finished the season strong in Israel and is riding a compelling wave of hype as the October draft edges closer. At 6-foot-8, Avdija is an advanced playmaker — the kind of big secondary ball-handler who could develop into a nice pressure-release valve for Young.
The issue for Avdija is his 3-point shot. He finished the season on a strong shooting note, but the broader context of his career breeds questions about his ability to space the floor. His mechanics look fine, however, and if you buy his skill package, odds are you buy his shooting. Count me among the believers.