3 potential lineups Cavs could use involving 2020 NBA Draft prospect Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija potential Cleveland Cavaliers lineup #3: Garland-Dylan Windler-Avdija-Love-Nance Jr.

This final potential Avdija-centered lineup would have an emphasis put on three-point shooting. During his basketball career overseas, Avdija was never a great three-point shooter.

Avdija shot a dismal 27.7 percent from behind the three-point arc during this past season with Maccabi during Euroleague play, although he seem to be getting going more following a novel coronavirus-induced hiatus. Avdija did have a bigger role and sigificantly more minutes-share in I-BSL play, though, and hit 35.3 percent of his triple attempts and in 27.6 minutes per game, had 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per outing.

Anyway, the main purpose of this potential lineup is to surround Avdija, who has his ups and downs as a shooter, with players who have been good shooters or have the capability to be good shooters on the Cavs roster.

Darius Garland and Dylan Winder (who is reportedly progressing well in his recovery from injury) both have the potential to be good three-point shooters at the NBA level. Kevin Love has always been a good three-point shooter for his position, and is fresh off hitting 37.4 percent of his three-point attempts in 2019-20, and Larry Nance Jr. even began to take more triples this past season. Nance finished the year with 56 made triples and hit 35.2 percent of those, which was respectable.

In this lineup, Avdija might possibly be the worst shooter on the floor, but that is okay. This lineup would provide open lanes for Avdija to attack the basket and either get an easy look at the rim or kick out to a teammate for three.

This lineup would also provide Deni with ball handling opportunities. He would be able to show off his playmaking abilities while surrounded by some of the best overall shooters in the Cavs organization, and Avdija’s passing feel/vision is a key strength of his game.

Also, having Love and Nance Jr. on the floor could provide Avdija with a needed veteran presence. It would help alleviate the pressure put on the young forward knowing that if all else fails during an offensive possession he can at least send the ball to Love in the post for a one-on-one scoring opportunity.

But, no matter the lineup, any collection of players that the Cleveland Cavaliers choose to surround Avdija would likely lead to interesting results on the offensive end of the floor.

No one knows what the Cavaliers will do with their fifth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. They may trade it away before draft day or they may use it on a player that no one is expecting.

But, if the Cavaliers do stick with the fifth pick, Altman would be crazy if he didn’t give Deni Avdija a good bit of consideration.