The Washington Wizards are making moves ahead of the NBA draft. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday evening that 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 NBA draft and an additional pick in 2029.
Washington general manager Will Dawkins will now have three first-round picks, including picks 2 and 26, in Wednesday’s NBA draft.
Avdija, a first-round pick in 2020, was the longest-tenured player on the Wizards. The Israel native landed a four-year, $55 million contract last October. Last season was Avdija’s first as a regular starter — he made the most of the opportunity, posting career highs in points, rebounds, assists and blocks.
The 23-year-old’s garnered attention throughout the league — Avdija finished sixth in the voting for this year’s Most Improved Player.
Brogdon will head to the District after averaging 15.7 points and 5.5 assists per game in his lone season with the Trail Blazers.
The trade is the latest move for a Wizards franchise looking to the future. After last month’s draft lottery, Dawkins noted that Washington would consider making trades as the offseason kicked off.
“We’ll do what’s best for the Wizards at the end of the day,” the second-year general manager said.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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