Wiz of Awes
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Five Wizards who could break into ESPN’s Top 100 next season

By Cem Yolbulan

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Corey Kispert #24 of the Washington Wizards in action against the Cairns Taipans during the second half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Corey Kispert #24 of the Washington Wizards in action against the Cairns Taipans during the second half of a preseason game at Capital One Arena on October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Deni Avdija

Avdija’s path to being a top 100 caliber player is clear: he needs to be a more impactful player offensively. This could be by becoming an above-average shooter or a great on-ball playmaker and passer.

Currently, Avdija projects to be a one-way, defense-first wing. These players are certainly valuable but they are also not that hard to find, especially if they are not absolutely elite defensively. Avdija is very solid on that end, but he lacks the athleticism and length to be truly special. This means he needs to become at least an average offensive player in his position.

His weaknesses on the offensive end have limited Avdija’s usage rate. His inability to hit open shots creates a spacing problem for the offense, limiting the team’s ceiling.

Two players that play the same position and style as Avdija in the top 100 are Grant Williams (no.  97) and Harrison Barnes (no. 96). What separates them from the Israeli forward, however, is their shooting. They are both above 37% from three for their careers and if Avdija wants to sniff the top 100 list, he needs to get to that level from downtown. As a 31% three-point-shooter, Avdija is unfortunately nowhere close to that level for now. It would be surprising to see him make that big of a jump and break into the next edition of this list.

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