PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to trade point guard Malcolm Brogdon and draft picks to the Washington Wizards for forward Deni Avdija on Wednesday, about an hour before the 2024 NBA Draft, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
A couple hours later, the Blazers drafted UConn center Donovan Clingan with the seventh pick in the draft.
Washington will get the second most favorable of Portland's three first-round picks in 2029 plus two second-round picks from the Blazers, Wojnarowski reported. Portland has its own pick in 2029 plus unprotected first-round picks from Milwaukee and Boston. Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported that the second-round picks the Wizards will receive will be in 2028 and 2030.
Because of a provision in Avdija's contract, the trade can't be completed until July 6.
Avdija, 23, was drafted No. 9 in 2020. Last season, the 6-foot-9, 210-pound small forward averaged a career high 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He shot 50.6% from the field, 37.4% from the 3-point line and 74% from the free-throw line.
Avdija was also a solid defender last season. According to Cleaning The Glass, the Wizards allowed 6.1 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the court, which ranked in the 90th percentile in the NBA. Overall, Washington was 7.9 points better per 100 possessions with Avdija on the court last season, which ranked in the 87th percentile.
He should slot in as the Blazers' starting small forward next season.
The move also helps clean up Portland's financial situation. They went into the offseason over the $178.7 million luxury tax threshold, not an ideal situation for a young, rebuilding team. The trade removes Brogdon's $22.5 million salary and the salary slot for the 14th pick in this year's draft (starting salary of $4.5 million). The trade puts the Blazers $4.2 million below the luxury tax.
Avdija, who signed a four-year, $55 million extension with the Wizards in October 2023, makes $15.6 million this season. His contract descends in value each of the following three seasons after that.
BY THE NUMBERS
A look at Deni Avdija's contract:
- 2024-25: $15.625 million
- 2025-26: $14.375 million
- 2026-27: $13.125 million
- 2027-28: $11.875 million
Brogdon was traded to the Blazers last offseason in a deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Boston. The former Sixth Man of the Year, Brogdon, 31, served as a mentor to Portland's young guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, while providing consistent production on the court when he was healthy. Brogdon averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 44% from the field and 41.2% from the 3-point line. He missed the final 32 games of the season due to injury.
