The Washington Wizards traded Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Malcolm Brogdon, the No. 14 pick in Wednesday’s draft, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round picks. ESPN’s Wojnarowski reports this.
The Trail Blazers used that No. 14 pick to select Pittsburgh guard Bub Carrington, who will join the Wizards via trade.
Avdija is entering his fourth NBA season since the Wizards selected him with the ninth pick of the 2020 draft. He started 75 games last season, averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. The numbers were all career highs in his first season as a full-time starter, and he earned votes for Most Improved Player of the Year.
Avdija, a 23-year-old wing, joins a young core in Portland that includes 20-year-old point guard Scoot Henderson, 21-year-old guard Shaedon Sharpe, 25-year-old guard Anfernee Simons and 25-year-old center Deandre Ayton. The Trail Blazers also added UConn center Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 pick in Wednesday’s draft.
Brogdon, 31, averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds in a single season on injury limitation in Portland after arriving via trade from the Boston Celtics. A player more suited to contribute to a contender. It’s not clear where he fits into the plans for a Wizards team that finished 15-67 last season and doesn’t plan to compete for the playoffs next season as planned.
Carrington and the future picks help Wizards build for the long term. Washington selected French center Alex Starr at No. 2 overall on Wednesday night, 7-1.
