The Cleveland Cavaliers are slated to make the #5 pick in the upcoming draft, and Deni Avdija should be a prospect they’re strongly considering.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently set to make the fifth overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. But, according to a report from Sam Amico of Sports Illustrated, an NBA executive “strongly” believes that the Cavaliers will look to trade their pick away before draft night.
No one knows for sure exactly what Cavs general manager Koby Altman plans to do with his pick before draft night. But one thing is for sure. If Cleveland stands pat and finds themselves on the clock with the fifth pick in the draft they will have plenty of interesting prospects to choose from.
Isaac Okoro, a 19-year-old forward who played his college ball at Auburn, is a great defensive wing who projects to fit well on pretty much any team that chooses to draft him. Okoro will almost definitely be available with the fifth pick.
James Wiseman, a 19-year-old center who played briefly at Memphis, is a tall and athletic big man whose pure potential makes him one of the highest ceiling prospects in the draft. Wiseman is another player who may be available at five.
Another player who will likely be available at pick number five, possibly the most intriguing player in the draft class, is Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv forward Deni Avdija.
Avdija has caught the attention of executives across the NBA, and for good reasons. The 6-foot-9 forward is one of the most versatile players in the draft class. He can dribble, pass and attack the basket at a pretty solid level. He also has great basketball IQ, and uses his intelligence for the game to create opportunities for himself in off-ball situations.
Deni Avdija has a high ceiling and fits a position of need for the Cavaliers. If the Israeli small forward remains available when the Cavs are on the clock, there is a good chance that Koby Altman makes him the newest member of the Cavaliers organization, as KJG’s Robbie DiPaola seemingly hit on.
But, what would that look like? How would Deni fit on a Cavaliers team composed of a mix of youthful prospects as well as veteran players?
Those are a couple of the questions I would like to answer by providing three lineups that the Cleveland Cavaliers could deploy if they draft Deni Avdija.
We’ll fire away with potential lineup #1.