The draft is over, ending months of speculation. Compared to years past, it was a rather tame affair — few major surprises and only a handful of medium-sized trades. Even the draftees’ suits were muted, as if the clothes were embarrassed to be there.
But there were still some noteworthy events worth discussing, starting with a surprising pre-draft trade involving Poetry favorite Deni Avdija.
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Deni Avdija
Washington Wizards receive: Malcolm Brogdon, ‘24 first, ‘29 first, ‘28 and ‘30 seconds
Just a few short months ago, I went long on the improved Avdija. I don’t want to repeat myself too much, so I’ll keep this brief.
Avdija averaged 15/7/4 last season, and those numbers ticked up halfway through the year. He’s a big, rugged defender with the size and foot speed to guard two through four without much trouble. He’s a notch below the best lockdown artists, but he’s spent multiple seasons as the Wizards’ primary stopper while surrounded by some of the league’s worst defenders. He may look even better in Portland next to more dedicated guardsmen like incoming rookie Donovan Clingan, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, and Toumani Camara.
A terrific rebounder with underrated athleticism and plus ballhandling and playmaking for his size, Avdija is at his best when he rips the ball off the rim and races upcourt in transition:
Notably, he shot a career-high on threes (37.4%) while putting up the most attempts of his career (4.0 attempts per game after the All-Star Break). That’s still not enough volume, and he swooned a bit as the season ended, but there’s enough shooting here to be functional with some upside for more.
Avdija is pretty good at everything, and at just 23 years old, it’s easy to see him fitting into Portland as a core piece of their youth movement. Importantly, Avdija is on one of the league’s best contracts — he’s just starting a four-year, $55 million extension. If he never gets any better than he was last season, he’s still a bargain at that price.
Avdija won’t be an All-Star, but he can absolutely be a versatile wing starter on a good team — if the shot holds. I am nervous that last year’s relative three-point barrage might have been a flash in the pan, and two firsts and two seconds is a significant price to pay.
But Avdija has notable two-way strengths and relatively few weaknesses (a penchant for terrible turnovers should be correctable). If Avdija can maintain as a 37% three-point shooter and slightly up his volume, Portland has a gem.
Shipping out Brogdon and his hefty contract also got Portland under the luxury tax threshold, a key offseason goal as they lose lots of games while developing young talent.
Portland Trail Blazers Grade: A-
On paper, there are many reasons to like Avdija; I’m not sure why they didn’t sway Washington to keep him. The move leaves the Wizards thin on NBA-quality players, particularly on the wing.
Detroit has had a problem for a couple of years now that Washington might run into, too: the team is so dysfunctional that it’s impossible to determine whether the young players are progressing. The Wizards may not have believed in Avdija’s long-term viability as a starter, but his defense and playmaking at least provided a safety net to the team’s gaggle of goslings.
Perhaps Portland’s offer was too good not to take. The draft equity was significant — the 14th pick in the draft (which turned into Bub Carrington, a guy I know nothing about but who has been compared to Jordan Poole and Lou Williams and is also named Bub), another first-rounder in 2029, and two seconds. They also received Malcolm Brogdon, an expiring contract who plays basketball and might return some further value at the trade deadline. Nobody knows Deni Avdija better than the Wizards; if they weren’t confident in his long-term potential, that’s a great return.
Washington Wizards Grade: B-
Now, it’s time for some draft thoughts.