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2020 NBA Mock Draft: All 14 NBA teams in the lottery

By Stevie Cozens

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks stands during a timeout during the round 15 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the South East Melbourne Phoenix at WIN Entertainment Centre on January 12, 2020 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Brent Lewin/Getty Images)
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 12: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks stands during a timeout during the round 15 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the South East Melbourne Phoenix at WIN Entertainment Centre on January 12, 2020 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Brent Lewin/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /

. 3. . Small Forward. Maccabi Tel Aviv. Deni Avdija. player. 125

The Atlanta Hawks, picking at number three, are in desperate need of shot creation outside of offensive lynchpin Trae Young. De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish were both drafted in 2019 but are more off the ball guys who can occasionally create their own shot.

In a league where NBA quality wings are still very sparse, the Hawks should draft Israeli small-forward Deni Avdija. Playing professionally since the age of 16 for Maccabi Tel Aviv, Avdija is six-foot-nine and plays like a point-forward in a Ben Simmons-lite mould.

He can initiate the offense in transition, is able get to the rim, and he can defend. Avdija’s combo of size and skill would be perfect as a secondary playmaker on the Hawks.

His athleticism and strength are still developing, same with his shot, but he has a strong basketball IQ that he uses well on both ends. He has a high ceiling in the NBA if his shot and defense can develop, he is a hard worker so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his shot be more consistent when he reaches the league.

Though he isn’t an elite shot creator, he plays within his skillset and doesn’t take too many risks.

He will benefit from NBA conditioning, and like other Euro’s he may be a prospect who is ready for the league ahead of other college prospects as he has been a pro for three years already.

Yes, the Hawks already have three NBA wings in Reddish, Hunter and Kevin Huerter. But none of them have the size and skill of Deni. Lock him in Hawks.