It seems increasingly likely that Deni Avidija will be a top-five pick in October. He finished the season on a high note in Israel, and his skill set merits great intrigue in a draft class marred by uncertainty. The Bulls could use a ready-made contributor as the new front office looks to contend.
At 6-foot-8, Avdija is far from a “point guard.” He is, however, a jumbo-sized playmaker — someone who can run the pick-and-roll, push the ball up court, and create for others at a high level. The Bulls could use another playmaking vehicle, as both Zach LaVine and Coby White are best suited to score-first roles.
Avdija will need to prove he’s a consistent 3-point shooter, but his late-season shooting flourish should put some teams at ease. Also, when you factor in his touch around the basket and the generally skilled nature of his game, it’s easy to project long-term growth as a shooter. His mechanics look perfectly fine.