The Washington Wizards made a surprising decision to trade young forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks. The agreement represents a major change for both teams as they aim to adjust their player lists before the upcoming season.
The trade signifies a significant reset for the Wizards as they get ready to utilize the second overall pick in the upcoming draft. By adding Brogdon, an experienced guard with an expiring contract, Washington brings in a reliable rotation piece to mentor their young core. With Avdija no longer in the equation, the Wizards will probably focus on restructuring their team with their new resources and creating a stronger, more unified group.
In the meantime, the Trail Blazers have reduced their extra draft picks and welcomed a skilled young player to their team. Drafted ninth overall in 2020, Avdija, a forward standing at 6-foot-9, has displayed notable progress in his third season with the Wizards, with averages of 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds, and a 37.4% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. His improvement resulted in him placing sixth in the voting for Kia Most Improved Player last year.
The Washington Wizards are trading F Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick tonight and 2029 pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/inF8ezNZtL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Adding Avdija brings much-needed youth and athleticism to Portland’s wing, enabling them to center their team around him as they move into a future without Damian Lillard. The Blazers ended the previous season with a disappointing 21-61 record, but with this trade, they have made a major move towards rebuilding and improving their roster.
The business deal also underscores the importance of being versatile in the current NBA. Avdija has proven he can handle both forward spots and is able to defend various positions on the court. His skill in spreading the floor with his three-point shooting makes him a desirable addition for any team seeking to enhance their depth and spacing.
On the flip side, Brogdon brings a plethora of experience to Washington. A past first-round selection himself, Brogdon has proven to be a consistent scorer and creator during his seven-year tenure in the NBA. Throughout his career, he has consistently scored over 15 points and dished out at least five assists per game, playing a crucial role on numerous playoff teams.
Now that Brogdon is in Washington, he has the option to stay with the Wizards and help their young core grow, or he could be part of a trade to bring in additional assets. The fact that the Wizards are open to absorbing his soon-to-expire contract indicates their readiness to embrace short-term risks to strengthen their current lineup.
During the NBA offseason, this trade is a reminder that no player is off-limits and teams are open to making big moves to revamp their lineups for future success.