Thread by @RedTeamScouting

The NBA Draft is one week from today! This edition of Red Team Scouting's mega thread covers Goga Bitadze.

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A late season surge by the Georgian center has seen him rise up many draft boards. He as all the strength and shot making to succeed, but will his lack of lateral quickness allow him to find a spot in a space-and-pace league?

Offense-

Much of Bitadze’s skill set is centered around two skills: he is the best screener in the class and he has above-the-break shooting range. Big men like Brook Lopez have changed how we see the position and Bitadze offensive game fits in with the new vision.

As a screener, he is incredibly strong and likes to bring his screens in at zero angles to surprise defenders. He is capable as both a dive man or off pick-and-pop actions, though he may face some adversity finishing against NBA length.

He is a good finisher with both hands around the rim and has nice touch on floaters and hook shots. By using his frame to create space and his wingspan to get separation from shot blockers, he has a great effective range in the paint than other bigs.

He has also shown a proclivity as a high-low passer. He can operate from the elbow by making use of his developing handle and is always a willing passer to other bigs in the low post. While his passing game isn’t fully fleshed out, he has excelled in this area.

His shooting game isn’t fully developed, but he has hit nearly 40 percent of his attempts while playing in the Serbian KLS and Adriatic ABA. Being able to space his game consistently will give him a plethora of options to apply his scoring talents

One major shortcoming on the offensive end is his lack of explosiveness around the rim. He projects as a full time screener, but having trouble finishing against longer and stronger opponents (as well as offering virtually no vertical spacing) may hamper his effectiveness.

Defense-

Bitadze is a smart defender. He keeps his eye on both his man and the play as it develops and makes timely rotations to challenge shots. He is capable of being a sturdy rim deterrent when he is able to get into position.

He is one of the strongest players in the class and can apply that strength when contesting. He is able to contest without fouling using his length and can’t be moved by many offensive players.

However, the major issue with Bitadze is his lateral mobility. He lacks the agility to stay in front of even slower guards and wings along the perimeter.

He may be able to stay on the floor in drop coverage, but he is going to have a huge target on his back for pick-and-roll ball handlers in crunch time situations.

Though he is a timely rotator, he will need to improve his quickness in this arena as well. With virtually no recovery speed, his margin for error is negligible and he is already foul prone (averaging north of 4 fouls per 36 this season).

Getting Minutes-

Make shots, make shots, make shots. Bitadze’s stock is predicated largely on his offensive game and he will need to put the entire repertoire on display to maintain a steady diet of NBA minutes.

Scoring in the paint, popping above the break on screens, and showing off his developing handle against slower bigs will give him enough scoring punch to overcome his defensive deficiencies.

Whatever team is willing to draft Bitadze (and his range has been) will need to understand and game plan around his shortcomings. Allowing a young and promising player to flounder in a bad situation would be a waste of a unique skill set.

Riding the Pine-

Any player who comes into the league in the first round will have a target on his back, but young slow-footed big men are a prime target for the agile guards that only the NBA can boast.

If Bitadze get hunted and can’t make the necessary adjustments (and he definitely has the requisite IQ to do so) he may find himself on the bench in crunch time.

That’s going to be the story for him. Not “Will he get playing time?” but “Will he be able to contribute to high level winning?” His upside is tantalizing but his physical deficiencies are frightening.

But his skills line up well with the ever-changing identity of the big man. Unless he ends up in a bad situation, expect to see a healthy dose of Bitadze early.

Good Fits-

He has made his way as high as the top ten on some boards and as low as the mid-twenties on others, giving him a wide range of landing spots.

The San Antonio Spurs (#19) will always merit mentioning in regards to international prospects. Though they have a crowded frontcourt, Bitadze gives them a bruising screener who can create space for young guards.

The Hawks (#10, #17) have made their focus on ball movement and shooting. While pairing Bitadze and Collins together may create a defensive sieve, Atlanta could run out a “We are just going to outscore you or lose trying” lineup with Collins + four shooters.