5 Reasons the Portland Trail Blazers won the Deni Avdija trade

The Blazers got the better end of the surprising Deni Avdija draft day deal.
Detroit Pistons v Washington Wizards
Detroit Pistons v Washington Wizards / Jess Rapfogel/GettyImages
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2. Blazers get their much-needed versatile wing

Avdija complements Portland's core, addressing a crucial need as a two-way wing. After finishing sixth this season in the Most Improved Player of the Year voting, it's clear Avdija is on an upward trajectory. He is coming off a career-best season with Washington, averaging 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 51/37/74 shooting splits.

Offensively, he's a well-rounded player who can take pressure off Portland's young backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe as an additional playmaker. He's an underrated passer with excellent court awareness. He's also someone who can create his own shot and play off the ball, providing much-needed floor spacing for a Blazers team that was dead last in three-point accuracy this past season.

Defensively, Avdija has the ability to guard multiple positions due to his 6-foot-9 frame. He can contribute in various ways, which is significant for a Blazers roster that was extremely redundant and lacked versatility, particularly at their wing positions.

Portland still needs to find their go-to star player to build its roster around, and Avdija isn't that, at least at this point in his career. But the Blazers finally got the versatile two-way wing they have been coveting, balancing out the roster much better as a result.