The Washington Wizards have announced a major trade, sending forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Malcolm Brogdon and the No. 14 pick in the draft, as well as a 2029 pick. This news came just hours before the start of the NBA draft.
Avdija, who was selected ninth overall in the 2020 draft, is coming off his fourth season with the Wizards. Last year, he started 75 games and posted career highs in points, rebounds, and assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. He earned recognition for Most Improved Player of the Year.
In Portland, Avdija joins a young core of players that includes Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton. With this addition to their roster, the Blazers are looking to build for the future by acquiring talent through trades and draft picks.
Brogdon is a 31-year-old guard who averaged solid numbers in his one season with the Blazers but his skill set may not be best suited for a team rebuilding like Washington. However, this trade will give him an opportunity to play with talented young players on a contending team. The addition of the No. 14 pick gives Washington multiple opportunities to add talent as they look towards building for long term success. With Nos. 2, 14 and 26 picks in first round of draft, Washington is well positioned to build for future success
