Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: When simulating the lottery gets wonky

By Brendon Kleen

METAIRIE, LA - MARCH 14: David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, talks to the media during an introductory press conference on April 17, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LA - MARCH 14: David Griffin, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, talks to the media during an introductory press conference on April 17, 2019 at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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18. . C. Mega Bemax. Goga Bitadze. 14. player

Bitadze is a load inside, the type of hard-nosed European big man we’ve grown accustomed to watching over the last few years, sticking it out in the modern NBA by playing good defense and rebounding. These guys make opponents pay for going small, and with Aron Baynes potentially gone from the Celtics roster after this season, Bitadze is a solid option at the 5 who could actually survive an Anthony Davis trade to provide Boston front court depth.

Just 19 and operating as a primary scoring option for the NBA development powerhouse Mega Bemax (Nikola Jokic, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Ivica Zubac all played here), Bitadze impressed ESPN, the only media outlet to go scout the big man this year:

"“He can pop to 3 and the midrange or facilitate out of short rolls. He’s not the most polished post scorer or vertical finisher, but he’s improved his conditioning. He’s quick off his feet for his size and should continue adding more touch shots and craft to his game.”"

Bitadze struggles to finish with his left hand, though like Jokic, somehow already has a knack for keeping his dribble alive and maintaining good positioning with his strength to be an effective NBA post player. If, as he told ESPN, Bitadze can elevate his perimeter shooting and become a genuine threat inside like his primary comp, Jusuf Nurkic, then Bitadze is someone who will be a load in the regular season and still be able to stay on the court in the playoffs.

A big man with this level of skill has to be on the minds of Celtics executives thinking past Baynes and Al Horford into a future with Davis inside.

Check out our full scouting report on Goga Bitadze.

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