Deni Avdija seems to be taking the right steps in his transition from EuroLeague to the NBA, though the Wizards expect the No. 9 overall pick to earn his playing minutes. Avdija is in the running for the starting small forward position, though coach Scott Brooks won’t commit to the rookie or anyone in that spot yet.
“We have some pretty good choices, and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds in the next couple of weeks,” Brooks said during a zoom conference call with the media, including FortyEightMinutes.com. “… I don’t think we’re always going to be locked in at that three spot. Maybe it’s going to be how we’re playing, how that player is playing … we’re just trying to find quality minutes at all five positions.”
Washington plans to compete for a playoff spot, so they’ll be no coddling or easing along their young players. With only 72 games, the team doesn’t have the cushion to wait for Avdija to adjust, which is why the rookie is making the most of his first NBA training camp.
“I saw it in my third year in Europe. I [felt] like it was all slowing down for me. I’m not playing as fast. I’m thinking more. I’m reading the game better. So it’s going to happen here, too,” Avdija said. “I just need to get used to everything. I just need to break through. Hopefully it will be like that here, and I think I’ll play better.”
While some fans may want to see Avdija start, it seems likely he’ll come off the bench, providing Washington with a ball-handler in the second unit. That could certainly change, however, as the Wizards are employing a Seahawks-Pete Carroll type approach to their training camp and roster in that nearly every position is open for competition.
More Wizards Notes:
- Robin Lopez participated in practice with the Wizards for the first time on Wednesday.
- Davis Bertans has arrived in the District and is expected to be cleared for practice by this weekend.
- The Wizards open the preseason in Brooklyn on Sunday. It will be Kevin Durant’s first game as a member of the Nets.
