New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Mock Draft, Sweet 16 edition
player. 147. . C. Rep. of Georgia. Goga Bitadze. 27
Age: 19
Height, Weight: 6-foot-11, 251 pounds
Slash Line: .547/.308/.694
Season Averages: 11.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.3 SPG, 2.5 BPG
The other international man of mystery in the 2019 NBA Draft, Goga Bitadze is a big man prospect from the Republic of Georgia. He last played for Buducnost VOLI of the EuroLeague. That name might be a handful for Adam Silver to pronounce on draft night, but this is another talented international prospect for the Brooklyn Nets.
With one pick in place, the Nets can take a draft-and-stash prospect. They selected Rodions Kurucs in the 2018 second round, but he jumped to the NBA team immediately, working well for Brooklyn as a scorer off the bench.
Whether Bitadze accomplishes a similar feat in his role would be interesting and a suplot to this rising franchise. Jarrett Allen is the Nets’ center, but the Georgian big man can back him up. If not, the G League is there for developing into the North American style of play.
Bitadze holds his own under the boards and is an apt shot-blocker, with 2.5 swats per game. He even occasionally stretches beyond the arc.
There is starter upside from Bitadze, pending he actually plays in the NBA and adjusts to a different league successfully. Previous international prospects have taken years to arrive after their respective draft, however, so that can become the case here and not let the Nets see him until the 2020s.
The New York Knicks are not in position for potential draft-and-stash players at this point of their “developmental” era.