Again, I know I mentioned this in the thread before but I'm alarmed when every Euroleague prospect is immediately compared to one or two Euro guys who played for the Cavs. They are all unique. Cedi was drafted at the top of the second round as a stash prospect who showed physical tools in the Euroleague at about 20 minutes a game as a teen. Avdija isn't being mentioned as a second rounder who needs to stay in Europe two more years. Scouts universally see a huge gap in preparation and upside.
One reason Cedi wasn't drafted very highly was he was considered a hustle defender that shot poorly from the free throw line. Those same things are in play for Deni, except he isn't actually known for his defense and is actually a worse shooter.
Let's compare their stats at 19-20 age in Euroleague per 36 to be fair
Cedi 12.4 pts 66% Ft 4.6 3PTA 30.3 3PT% 6.8 Total reb 2 AST 1.3STL .6 Blocks 1.6TOV 4.4PF
Deni 10.2 pts 55% Ft 4.6 3PTA 27.7 3PT% 6.6 Total reb 2.9 Ast 1 STL .6 Blocks 1.8 TOV 5PF
The thing Deni is prob much better at is finishing his 2pt % is .596 vs .471 for Cedi which is not insignificant.
Still, how can you look at that stat line and think Deni is a lottery pick and Cedi is a 2nd rounder. I think the answer is both should have been in the 15-20 range
Osman's stats say he is the better athlete with same block as a guy bigger than him and better rebounding and steals. Deni is projected to be a better shooter? Why? The stats don't back that at all.
I think you are right about Euro comparisons, but not appropriately like comparing to Cedi. Somehow Deni got a huge lift from Doncic, and his huge popularity in Israel. His stats don't tell the story, basically at all for him to be a lottery pick. You have to take his stats on worse competition and say the eye test is good enough.
This guy isn't good enough for top 3, and he may not be good enough for top 10.
When you break it down that .9 additional assists per 36 and his better 2p% is what makes Deni the better prospect even though athleticism indicators are worse.
I don't think it's impossible we have the more athletic version of this guy on the roster already, and he has learned to shoot! The other thing is that Cedi is NOT getting the playmaking/ballhandling opportunities he would like on our team as constructed. How is that going to work out for Deni? Is he going to be a better spot up shooter who only gets transition ballhandling opportunities?
I really like Cedi, but I am not deluded that he is probably a backup wing in this league that can provide some playmaking and spot up. His younger self probably has a similar trajectory, but good money says he is probably going to be a worse shooter. He's not even a little worse than Osman at the line he is more than 10 points worse.
