3 reasons Cavs should select Deni Avdija if he’s available in 2020 NBA Draft
By Zane Harris
#2: Versatility for the Cavs
The next reason as to why the Cleveland Cavaliers should select Deni Avdija if he falls to them in the 2020 NBA Draft is the versatility that he has.
Currently, it seems that there is not a clear plan for the franchise for the future. There are few players on the roster who appear completely safe from trade and are locks to be on the team four years down the line.
As a result of this, drafting a player like Avdija would bring some stability to the lineup, if there is ever a hole at a certain position, feasibly if needed more so at the 3 and 4, and potentially the 2 if Cleveland were to go with jumbo lineups at times. Avdija is already coming into the league with the skill set and IQ to play multiple positions.
Looking onward, I would think that positional versatility, with other aspects especially on-ball, could lead to Avdija being an upgrade as next season progresses, at the starting 3 spot over Cedi Osman. That’s also with how Avdija should the makings to more than hold his own defensively against 3’s and 4’s, too, and Osman has mightily struggled on that end.
Nonetheless, Avdija is not a player that you want having to defend bigger, more post-up/interior-oriented 4’s, and if he were to be switched out on to quicker 1’s and 2’s, that could be an issue at times.
But his IQ defensively, ability to make plays in passing lanes and with his ability to often deter more perimeter 3/4 driving threats and pull-up players, in those instances, he could definitely aid the Cavs’ defensive efforts. And in today’s NBA, that’s particularly meaningful.