NEWSLETTER
The Washington Wizards have started off what could be a very active 2024 NBA Draft.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Wizards are trading forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers. In exchange, they will receive the No. 14 pick in tonight’s draft, a 2029 first-round pick, two second-round picks, and Malcolm Brogdon.
Portland previously held both the No. 7 and No. 14 pick in the draft.
Trail Blazers Add Deni Avdija
Clearly, the rebuilding Trail Blazers viewed Avdija as a better piece than what they could’ve landed at No. 14. And this may have been the smart move. After a slow start to his career, Avdija broke out last year with an increased workload. He averaged 14.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game for the Wizards.
The six-foot-nine forward entered the league with a lot of promise after years of playing professionally overseas. The Wizards selected him No. 9 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, and he will not turn 24 years old until January 2025.
The price tag for Avdija wasn’t cheap, however. Two first-round picks and multiple seconds is a pretty shocking haul for the Wizards. This is especially true when we consider the Trail Blazers are also in the thick of rebuilding. Could Portland have plans to add other picks later tonight? Perhaps by trading a veteran like Jerami Grant?
Being the Bulls obsessor that I am, I also can’t help but look at this trade as another indictment of the Alex Caruso trade. How does Avdija net the Wizards FOUR future draft picks but Caruso gets Chicago nothing? I understand Giddey is viewed as a better prospect, but good enough to warrant no draft capital?
Woof.
