Washington Wizards get “steal of the draft” in Deni Avdija with the No. 9 pick

What are the chances that Deni Avdija reaches his potential?

Players have shown significant improvement to their shooting over their careers but it is not an extremely common occurrence. It’s likely that Avdija’s availability at the ninth pick was due to other teams’ concerns that he’ll never be an average jump shooter.

Avdija has all the intangibles that NBA teams look for and an average jump shot would vault him into the All-Star conversation. He has been in a professional setting for longer than any other draft prospect and his father played professionally as well.

Players with his background tend to reach their potential due to their deep understanding of the work needed to be a professional basketball player. If Avdija never becomes a great shooter it’s probable that that was never in the cards for him anyway.

In all likelihood, by the time the Wizards have to consider extending Avdija, they’ll have a good idea of what the future holds for him. If his shooting has progressed he’ll be a near-lock for an extension and even if it hasn’t his all-around skill set could make him an integral part of their team-building strategy.

The Wizards are stocked with good shooters which will allow Avdija to get serious game time without his most concerning weakness holding the team back. All the attention paid to John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Thomas Bryant at the 3-point line will give Avdija ample open looks to build confidence in his shot.

The upside for Avdija is as a borderline All-NBA player who can impact the court on both ends. If his shooting stroke is better than advertised then the Wizards will have scooped the best player in the draft and a cornerstone player to build around for the next decade.