Detroit Pistons: 2020 NBA first round mock draft 1.0

NBA fans have grown to be less skeptical of drafting international prospects in recent years than they have in the past, and it was partially due to the initial reaction to the Knicks drafting Kristaps Porzingis, who turned out to be above average at the next level.

This same recent trend should be carried over into this year if the Knicks do end up drafting Avdija.

In terms of taking advantage of mismatches on offense, he’s one of the best in this upcoming class. He frequently uses his size to his advantage in post up situations, where he’s currently most effective.

He hasn’t quite developed a consistent perimeter game just yet, shooting just 27.7 percent on 47 attempts. However, his form is solid and it’s certainly a salvageable part of his overall game.

The Knicks spent a gratuitous amount of money on power forwards last summer, but the infusion of youth between Avdija and Mitchell Robinson in their front court could be impactful down the line.

Deni’s shot selection is always under control, and he’s frequently making smart decisions with the ball. He’s seldom forcing shots or passes.

The biggest issue with him defensively is his inability to defend anyone outside of his own position. He primarily needs to stick to that, otherwise he can easily be beat along the perimeter by quicker ball handlers.