Game 34: Dallas Mavericks (12-21) vs. Portland Trailblazers (13-19) | 9:30pm CST

[KillerLeft]

What do you guys think about Deni Avdija?  His game has really evolved since leaving the Wizards.

In the past, I always thought he was a promising player, but never really a fit on a Luka team, so I wasn't as thrilled about adding him in potential trades as the board was over the past 3-4 years. 

But now, watching Portland run their offense through him, and knowing in hindsight that the Mavs were going to trade Luka...yeah, he'd be very helpful right about now. Custom made to fill a hole the Mavs have, honestly. Too bad he's not an option for the Mavs, since he's the piece Portland finally identified correctly as a starting point for their rebuild.

[Mavs2021]

What do you guys think about Deni Avdija?  His game has really evolved since leaving the Wizards.

I didn´t even like Avdija much and I knew the trade was dumb the moment it happened. Wizards are probably one of the worst run sports teams in the world. For that reason the NBA probably doesn´t give the Wizards top 3 picks, unless the draft is projected to be total crap. They have Sarr and before that it was the Bennett draft in 2013. 

Regarding Risacher, what really annoys me is his lack of rebounding and assists. At 6´8 he should be the prototypical swiss army knife, and he´s 175th and 176th in those categories. If you consider that the league has 150 starters in total and 60 forwards that´s pretty awful.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Regarding Risacher, what really annoys me is his lack of rebounding and assists. At 6´8 he should be the prototypical swiss army knife, and he´s 175th and 176th in those categories. If you consider that the league has 150 starters in total and 60 forwards that´s pretty awful.

Yea, Risacher doesn't offer any of the offensive upside of Avdija.  He's more like a taller/forward version of Max Christie.  Maybe even comparable to DFS.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Avidja in a team without primary ballhandler is perfect.

Kyrie-Flagg-Dani-PJ-Street clothes is a good lineup.

[KillerLeft]

Yea, Risacher doesn't offer any of the offensive upside of Avdija.  He's more like a taller/forward version of Max Christie.  Maybe even comparable to DFS.

So, for me...the question is about whether Risacher is a DFS comp, as you suggest, in which case, no, I don't think he's that interesting. I mean, if he ends up being as good as DFS, sure, but there are a ton of guys that size playing roles like that. The Mavs have a few of them right now, though I'd hope Risacher is a better shooter, eventually. 

But, can he be an upgrade over Christie in a more literal sense? Can he, at 6'8", be a 3/2? More clearly wing than forward? That's what has me intrigued. I don't claim to know the answer, but that's the specific intrigue, for me. If he can hold his own at the 2 and overwhelm smaller ball-handlers as a defender, you might really have something. I still like Christie, but it would be nice to have a bigger version of him, but without losing the quickness like you do with Marshall or Washington, neither of whom are great guarding POA, imho.

[Mavs2021]

Yea, Risacher doesn't offer any of the offensive upside of Avdija.  He's more like a taller/forward version of Max Christie.  Maybe even comparable to DFS.

Not a bad comparison at all. The more I look into his numbers, 70% FT shooter, the more I think just give me Young and three picks or Young, Newell and two picks.

[mvossman]

So, for me...the question is about whether Risacher is a DFS comp, as you suggest, in which case, no, I don't think he's that interesting. I mean, if he ends up being as good as DFS, sure, but there are a ton of guys that size playing roles like that. The Mavs have a few of them right now, though I'd hope Risacher is a better shooter, eventually. 

But, can he be an upgrade over Christie in a more literal sense? Can he, at 6'8", be a 3/2? More clearly wing than forward? That's what has me intrigued. I don't claim to know the answer, but that's the specific intrigue, for me. If he can hold his own at the 2 and overwhelm smaller ball-handlers as a defender, you might really have something. I still like Christie, but it would be nice to have a bigger version of him, but without losing the quickness like you do with Marshall or Washington, neither of whom are great guarding POA, imho.

This is a blurb I pulled from his draft profile:

Legitimate 3-and-D athletes 6-foot-8 and taller are precious commodities, which is the sell here. Risacher stands 6-foot-9 with a high and lightning-quick release, who already has a feel for his likely NBA role as a shooter off the catch. Arguably his most intriguing skill, though, is his on-ball defense: Risacher has incredible lateral agility for his size, allowing him to stick with smaller, faster players.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Risacher is a 20yo, you can't label him as a bust now.

Honestly i would like to give him a try here.

X-X-Risacher-Flagg-Lively with a couple of FRPs in the next draft is a good start for me.

[mvossman]

Risacher is a 20yo, you can't label him as a bust now.

Honestly i would like to give him a try here.

X-X-Risacher-Flagg-Lively with a couple of FRPs in the next draft is a good start for me.

Yep.  He was considered a bit of a project that would take a little time to develop.  He does not have an elite ceiling and he is having a sophomore slump, but that is why he is even a possibility.