Wizards Trade Deni Avdija to Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon

The Washington Wizards traded Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and future second-round picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Washington Wizards acquired Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers for Deni Avdija before the 2024 NBA draft

The Wizards will get Portland’s second-most favorable first-round pick of the three it controls. This means its own, in addition to those of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the 2029 draft.

Because of the poison pill restriction in the contract, the trade cannot be completed until July 6.

Washington selected Carlton “Bub” Carrington, a guard out of Pittsburgh, with the 14th pick they acquired in the trade. He’ll be paired with French center Alex Sarr, who Washington selected with the No. 2 overall pick.

The Wizards pulled off another deal Wednesday night, moving up two spots to acquire the New York Knicks’ No. 24 pick to draft Miami forward Kyshawn George.

In exchange, the Knicks acquired the Wizards’ No. 26 pick, Dillon Jones, and the No. 51 pick in Thursday’s second round. New York then sent Jones to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for five future second round picks.

Avdija, the ninth pick in the 2020 NBA draft, is slated to begin a four-year, $55 million extension that he signed last fall with the Wizards. He gives Portland a young two-way wing player to pair with its young guards.

Avdija averaged career highs of 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists with Washington last season

Avdija, 23, had a breakout year in the 2023-24 campaign, his fourth NBA season. The 6-foot-9 wing averaged career highs of 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

Plus, he shot career bests of 50.6% from the floor and 37.6% from 3-point range. He garnered votes for last season’s Most Improved Player award, finishing sixth in the voting.

Brogdon, 31, averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 assists last season for Portland. In October 2023, the Boston Celtics traded him and Robert Williams III to the Trail Blazers for Jrue Holiday.

Brogdon, who was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2023, is now on his fourth team in four seasons. He is currently on an expiring contract of $22.5 million.

The 6-foot-4 guard could be moved again by the Wizards, as the franchise continues its rebuilding process under its front office of Michael Winger and Will Dawkins.

With this deal, Portland trims millions of dollars off its luxury tax bill for next season. This was a necessary trade in order for the Blazers to drop below the tax and first apron.