In 2020, Mike Schmitz, currently the Portland Trail Blazers' Assistant GM, worked as an NBA draft analyst at ESPN. He published a piece, "Deni Avdija belongs in the top tier of the 2020 NBA draft," making a strong case for why Deni Avdija should be in the conversation (subscription required) along with the top three prospects, Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, and LaMelo Ball.
The article mentions Avdija's high floor as a versatile connective piece and a high ceiling as a potential jumbo guard. One would assume that Schmitz played a pivotal role in getting Avdija to Portland because of how much he valued him as a prospect.
Avdija continues to ascend late in his first season with the Blazers, reaching that jumbo guard ceiling Schmitz referred to five years ago. Previously the No. 9 overall selection by the Washington Wizards, it's clear he needs to climb up the board in the 2020 re-draft.
Re-drafting the 2020 NBA Draft
No. 1: Minnesota Timberwolves – Anthony Edwards
Original pick: Anthony Edwards
Minnesota struck gold with Anthony Edwards and has no reason to mix it up at the top. He's arguably the best shooting guard in the league at just 23 years old, with three All-Star appearances already on his resume. Edwards is having his best statistical season yet, averaging 27.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 40 percent shooting from three.
His points scored have taken a drastic jump, and there's a chance he will win a few scoring titles when it's all said and done. Still, the most impressive development in Edwards' game is that he's finding ways to contribute outside of scoring. He's doing what Steve Kerr urged him to while on Team USA, utilizing his athleticism to make more winning plays.
No. 2: Golden State Warriors – Tyrese Haliburton
Original pick: James Wiseman
Previously, the debate was between Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton at No. 1 overall. But the real debate should be which Tyrese is taken at No. 2 - Haliburton or Maxey?
Haliburton is a two-time All-Star for a good reason, but he's plateaued as a player, hovering around 20 points and 10 assists the past three seasons. Meanwhile, other prospects in this class continue to improve as they get closer to their prime, closing the gap between Haliburton and the field.
The Warriors still go with Haliburton over Maxey here because he's a more natural fit alongside Stephen Curry with his 6-foot-5 frame and reliable three-point shot. It would be scary to watch that backcourt operate in Kerr's system.
No. 3: Charlotte Hornets – Tyrese Maxey
Original pick: LaMelo Ball
The Hornets should be thrilled with their LaMelo Ball pick, but there's still room for improvement in a class with multiple All-Stars. Ball's ankle issues make him more of an injury risk than some may realize, exceeding 50 games in two out of five seasons in his career. There's also the question (whether it's fair or not) surrounding how his game impacts winning with the Hornets continuing to struggle.
Tyrese Maxey may not be the answer to that question, as it's an issue that goes beyond just one player. But he'd be an upgrade as a lightning-quick guard and prolific three-level scorer who has also emerged as more of a two-way player.
No. 4: Chicago Bulls – LaMelo Ball
Original pick: Patrick Williams
Patrick Williams seemed to be a safe pick as a versatile 6-foot-8 forward out of Flordia State. In his first year with Chicago, he averaged 9.2 points while shooting 39.1 percent from deep, suggesting that his floor was a 3-and-D wing with room to grow offensively. However, Williams hasn't developed as expected and appears to be the same player every year.
The Bulls finally find the star they were hoping for in Ball. They have a crowded backcourt, but Ball is simply the best player available at the end of this tier of players. He would be an excellent building block for the Bulls, who somehow still need to pick a direction for their roster.
No. 5: Cleveland Cavaliers - Deni Avdija
Original pick: Isaac Okoro
Deni Avdija gets the slight nod over Desmond Bane at No. 5, but we could see the Cavaliers taking either player with this pick. In terms of being a third or fourth option on a team, Bane has proven to be a reliable player in that role and may have Avdija beat. That could be appealing for a team like the Cavaliers that is already a contender and looking for a complementary piece to add.
Cleveland has a unique roster because their backcourt is undersized and offensive-minded, but their frontcourt is massive and defensive-minded. From that standpoint, Avdija's versatility as a 6-foot-9 do-it-all wing would be the perfect glue guy here.
He also possesses more potential than Bane with his playmaking as someone who can initiate the offense better. That rare combination of floor, fit, and upside makes Avdija a top-five selection despite him being in a loaded class.
(But sorry, Cleveland, he's ours).