Blazers Acquire Deni Avdija From Wizards in Trade That Shakes Up 2024 NBA Draft

The Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a big trade little more than an hour before the 2024 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin.

Read more: Knicks Acquire Star From Nets for Massive Haul of Draft Picks

The Wizards are sending forward Deni Avdija to the Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Malcolm Brogdon, the No. 14 pick in this year’s draft, and 2029 picks, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski then provided further details on the picks. He said the Blazers are giving up the second-most favorable of their 2029 first-round picks, as well as two 2029 second-round picks, in the deal for Avdija.

This is the third significant trade in the last 24 hours leading up to the draft.

First, the New York Knicks acquired star forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for a haul of picks.

Then, the Nets made a second trade with the Houston Rockets, that one setting Houston up for a future blockbuster.

As for this deal, it’s a huge pre-draft trade for both sides. The Wizards will now have picks Nos. 2 and 14 in the lottery of Wednesday night’s NBA Draft, as well as pick No. 26 at the end of the first round. As for Portland, they still have the No. 7 overall pick in the lottery.

The Blazers are acquiring Avdija, a former lottery selection in 2020 by the Wizards. Avdija has consistently improved in each of his four seasons in the NBA, enjoying the best year of his career in 2023-24.

Read more: Rockets Agree to Huge Trade With Nets, Now Focused on Adding Superstar in New Deal

Avdija appeared in 75 games this past season, averaging career highs in points (14.7), rebounds (7.2), and assists (3.8) per game. He also shot career bests on field goals (50.6 percent) and 3-pointers (37.4 percent), making a career high 1.2 treys per game. Avdija ended up finishing sixth in Most Improved Player award voting.

Avdija is still just 23 years old and is entering the first year of a four-year, $55 million deal he signed with Washington. He’ll now be a key member of the Portland rotation for the next four seasons, as they look to get back on track after three down years.

As for Washington, they’re in the midst of a rebuild, and will now have another first-round pick to work with on Wednesday night. They also accumulated future draft capital while bringing in Brogdon, who will certainly be of interest to contenders this offseason. Look for the Wizards to acquire even more draft capital (and potentially a young player) when they ultimately move Brogdon, who averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game this past season.