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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 prospects the Cavs should consider for the NBA Draft

By Chad Porto

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum speaks during the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum speaks during the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers Deni Avdija /

F- Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija is an Israel prospect that hasn’t done much during his time with Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv in the Euro League but has dominated in the FIBA U20 side of competition. Playing with young men around his age, Avdija was on the Israeli team that won back-to-back titles in the competition. The first title saw Avdija play little involvement in the offense, scoring only six points in the championship game but he ended up playing nearly 26 minutes and often times playing great defense against the Spanish team. So while he wasn’t scoring 30 points as an 18-year-old, he showed stellar presence defensively.

In the 2019 FIBA tournament, however, Avdija took home the tournament MVP.

Avdija is more than just his numbers. He runs the court like any great playmaker in the NBA, with nimble precision and awareness that screams confidence. He’s not just a shooter, but a great all-around offensive threat, and can be a team’s primary playmaker with his vision. While not as polished, any comparison to Luka Doncic as a prospect is warranted. Though Doncic was far more tested, it’s fair to say Avdija is not. Tel Aviv didn’t build their team around him like Real Madrid did with Doncic.

Avdija is a better defender than Doncic though. He’s able to defend the low-post or the perimeter with confidence and can even block shots without making body contact against players. His defense is one of his better attributes, something that sets him apart from other players.

Avdija is not a better prospect than Doncic, as everyone (who knows what they were talking about) saw Doncic as a Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Lebron James-esque game-changing player. Avdija could surely grow into that kind of player, but if he only develops into the next position down, then so be it. That’s still better than what the Cavs already has.

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