Wizards' Avdija trade another step back for the franchise

Deni Avdija. Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

Wizards' Deni Avdija trade another step back for the franchise

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jun 26, 2024 7:33 PM ET

For Wizards fans who thought this past season's 15-67 record was rock bottom, think again.

On Wednesday, roughly an hour before the 2024 NBA Draft, Washington agreed on a trade to send talented young forward Deni Avdija, 23, to the Trail Blazers for the 14th overall pick in this year's draft, a 2029 pick and guard Malcolm Brogdon, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

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

Advija, the No. 9 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, averaged a career-high 14.7 points on 50.6% shooting, including 37.4% on 3.1 three-point attempts per game, in 2023-24.

Washington entered the day with the Nos. 3 and 26 overall picks in Wednesday's first round, and the addition of another selection in a weak draft class doesn't move the needle.

Avdija finished sixth in Most Improved Player voting and still has his best basketball ahead of him. Meanwhile, Brogdon will turn 32 this upcoming season and might be a buyout candidate so Washington can give its young players minutes.

Forbes NBA reporter Evan Sidery noted that Washington could part with Brogdon or forward Kyle Kuzma in a package with the Nos. 14 and 26 overall picks to move up in the first round.

The Wizards remain active in trade discussions centered around Kyle Kuzma as well.

Washington could attach Kuzma alongside Nos. 14 or 26 to move up even higher in the draft from their current slots.

Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon are players who might still be on the move tonight. pic.twitter.com/ZNfSjrZ2Hh
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 26, 2024

But again, given the state of this year's draft class, Washington's chances of landing a player of Avdija's caliber are slim.

The 2023-24 season couldn't have gone worse for the Wizards, and the offseason is looking just as ugly.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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