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CBS Mock Draft: Cleveland Cavaliers to take Deni Avdija in 2020 NBA Draft

By Chad Porto

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: The first round draft board is seen during 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: The first round draft board is seen during 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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CBS Sports has released a new mock draft that has the Cleveland Cavaliers taking Israeli prospect Deni Avdija in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Deni Avdija is coming to the Cleveland Cavaliers, that is, if you put any stock in the NBA Mock Draft process. You probably shouldn’t but it does make for a fun read. CBS Sports put out their most recent mock, this one from Gary Parrish, and it’s pretty boilerplate stuff. The top three players always seem to be the same, no matter who you’re talking to, and those are LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, and Anthony Edwards.

This is a good thing, as we’ve seen with recent drafts the top picks aren’t always what they turn out to be. While 2019’s top guy Zion Williamson has played well when healthy, guys like Ja Morant, Rui Hachimura, P.J. Washington and Tyler Herro (most of whom were taken outside of the top eight) seem like better long term investments. Not better talents, but healthier, deeper skillsets and aren’t so reliant on one thing.

Same thing with the 2018 Draft Class. Luka Doncic was passed over by Phoenix and Sacramento, and he’s arguably the best player in the league as of the 2020 playoffs. The 2017 Draft saw Jayson Tatum (3rd) and Devin Michell (13th) emerge as the top two guys from the class. The best two players from 2016 may just be 11th overall pick Domantas Sabonis and 27th overall Pascal Siakam.

So the Cavs being positioned at fifth could be a good thing, assuming they get the right guy. That guy may just be Avdija. He’s nimble, quick, a great defender and can playmake with the best of them. The only issue is that he hasn’t been tested against the best of the Euroleague as Doncic was. Instead, Avdija played against the U20 squads, an age-restricted part of the league. He’s absolutely dominated in the FIBA U20 European Championships this past year, being named the MVP of the tournament while guiding Israeli to a gold medal.

Obi Toppin would also be a great pick for the Cavs but if the CBS Mock shakes out accurately, he’ll go one pick before the Cavs to the Bulls. Avdija should be the guy if both are on the table, as he has higher up-side and better playmaking abilities.

So Parrish’s pick should make fans pretty happy.

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

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