Avdija on Warriors’ radar for years

In the lead-up to the NBA draft, The Chronicle is analyzing players the Warriors could consider taking with the No. 2 pick. Next up is Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Deni Avdija:

Strengths:

In a draft filled with high-risk, high-reward prospects, Avdija might have the highest floor of anyone the Warriors could take. Few question that his size and skills ensure he’ll be, at worst, a quality NBA starter.

At 19, Avdija already has played three seasons in the EuroLeague, the world’s second-best league. Before he added necessary bulk in recent months, his court vision and feel for the game got him on the floor with former NBA players. Avdija can create in transition, defend several positions and play along the perimeter or out of the post.

Though the comparisons to Luka Doncic aren’t fair because Doncic is a generational talent, Avdija has a chance to become an NBA All-Star. Multiple scouts drew parallels between him and Danilo Gallinari, a playmaking forward who has averaged 16.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2 assists over 11 seasons.

Weaknesses:

Whether Avdija can become more than a helpful starter at the next level will come down to his jump shot. In 26 EuroLeague games last season, he shot 27.7% from 3-point range. Perhaps even more concerning was Avdija’s 55.6% clip from the foul line.

Avdija doesn’t have the quickest first step, which could make it tough for him to get past the NBA’s best wing players. There’s also reason to worry thathe’ll be foul prone as he acclimates to the next level.

Though already a fine passer, Avdija will need to improve his ballhandling to become a dependable NBA playmaker.

Fit with Warriors:

The Warriors have flown to Israel multiple times to scout Avdija, whose skill set is well-suited for head coach Steve Kerr’s movement-heavy system. He’s big and strong enough to play power forward, but he has the creativity and playmaking ability of a point guard.

This combination allows him to get on the floor in a number of ways. In small-ball lineups with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green, Avdija could defend power forwards, run the break and attack closeouts. When Curry sits, Avdija could be a secondary ballhandler who thrives in pick-and-roll situations and pulls up for the occasional 3-pointer.

Scout’s take:

“Personally, I’m not totally sure why Deni isn’t being mentioned with LaMelo (Ball), (James) Wiseman and (Anthony) Edwards as a possibility at No. 1. He has a proven track record against elite competition, and he has all the intangibles to become a great player in this league for a long, long time.”

Bottom line:

Doncic’s success has upped the pressure on NBA front offices to find the next great European player. Few should confuse Avdija for Doncic, but his high basketball IQ, competitiveness and passing ability make him an intriguing option for the Warriors at No. 2.

If the Warriors decide they want Avdija, they might be best served trading back to the to 5-8 range, where most experts expect him to go.