Leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired an up-and-coming wing, Deni Avdija, from the Washington Wizards. In exchange, Portland gave up Malcolm Brogdon, the No. 14 overall pick, a first-round pick in 2029, and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030).
On the surface, it's a lot of assets to give up for a non-All-Star player. But between the Avdija trade and the No. 7 overall selection of UConn center Donovan Clingan, the Blazers are positioning themselves well and have a clearer sense of direction in their rebuild.
1. Avdija matches Portland's rebuilding timeline
Avdija, 23, aligns exceptionally well with the Trail Blazers' rebuilding timeline. After the trade and draft, Portland has done a great job stockpiling young assets. In addition to Avdija, they have multiple promising players who are 25 years or younger, including Clingan (20), Scoot Henderson (20), Shaedon Sharpe (21), Toumani Camara (24), Deandre Ayton (25), and Anfernee Simons (25).
It remains to be seen if the Blazers move any of these players this offseason, but it's safe to assume that at least the majority of their young core will be together next season. The draft was a given, but adding Avdija into the mix is a significant step towards forming a deep, talented core that can grow together.
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.
3. Malcolm Brogdon's one-year rental
It seems inevitable that the rebuilding Wizards will proceed to flip Malcolm Brogdon for additional draft capital and young assets. If you consider Brogdon someone the Wizards can move for an additional first-round pick, the Trail Blazers essentially gave up three first-round picks for Avdija. While it's certainly a steep price to pay, it makes much more sense from the Blazers' perspective when considering the assets involved.
Due to multiple injuries, Brogdon was limited to 39 games this season with the Blazers. However, he was effective when healthy, averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game on 44/41/82 shooting splits.
While Brogdon is a solid contributor when healthy and a former Sixth Man of the Year, he contributed to Portland's logjam problem in their backcourt. On an expiring deal, it's unlikely to get significant assets in exchange for a one-year rental in Brogdon. If Washington does flip him into an additional pick, it will likely be toward the mid to late first round.
Another notable benefit of moving Brogdon is that it clears a guard spot for Dalano Banton, who was impactful this past year and has a $2.2 million team option for next season. Banton can now slide in as the third-string point guard behind Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.
4. Low-value picks surrendered
Weak 2024 NBA Draft class
It's difficult enough as it is for a prospect selected towards the end of the lottery to pan out, especially considering the prospects available this year in what projects to be a weak class. The Blazers could have gotten someone like Dalton Knecht, who was projected to go to the Hornets at No. 6 by ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony and fell all the way to the Lakers at No. 17.
However, Knecht is 23, the same age as Avdija. It's unlikely he comes into the league with the same level of production as Avdija. The Blazers got a sure-fire starter rather than a relatively unknown draft prospect, whether it was Knecht or someone else.
Likely to be a late 2029 first-round pick
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the 2029 first-round pick that the Blazers are trading to the Wizards is the second most favorable of their first-round picks. The Blazers had three first-rounders: their own, Milwaukee's, and Boston's. They acquired the other two picks from the Damian Lillard blockbuster deal and subsequent Jrue Holiday trade.
It's likely the Bucks, with Giannis, and Celtics, with Tatum and Brown, are still both legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference by then. Additionally, the Blazers' core should be much more developed, with the majority of them just entering their prime.
The NBA is so entertaining because it's ever-changing and unpredictable on a yearly basis. Still, it's a good bet that Joe Cronin made that all three of these teams should be playoff contenders at that point, decreasing the pick's trade value as a result.
Recouped second-round picks
Portland had two second-round picks, No. 34 and No. 40, which they both ultimately moved for future second-round picks and cash. They traded No. 34 to the Knicks in exchange for three second-round picks: a 2027 (via Minnesota), a 2029 (least favorable between Indiana and Washington), and a 2030 ( via New York).
They also traded their No. 40 overall pick to the Thunder for the No. 52 pick and cash, then proceeded to flip the No. 52 pick to the Warriors in exchange for more cash. It's a lot of moving parts, but the Blazers did a solid job of getting back their second-round draft capital.
5. Solves Portland's luxury tax issue
Prior to this trade, the Blazers had $167 million owed to their existing contracts. Even before factoring in their rookie salaries, Portland was dangerously close to exceeding the $171 million luxury tax. It's a horrible place to be in as a team that finished last in the Western Conference with a 21-61 record. An offseason move was imminent due to their financial issues, and this trade solved that, putting the Blazers $4.2 million under the luxury tax, according to Yossi Gozlan.
The Blazers had a few high-priced players on their roster that they could have moved, such as Deandre Ayton ($34 million next season), Jerami Grant ($30 million), and Anernee Simons ($26 million). However, it was apparent that Brogdon, owed $22.5 million next season, was the odd man out due to his age, expiring contract, and the Blazers' backcourt logjam.
As mentioned, Avdija is a talented wing who fits the Blazers' timeline and roster needs well. But what can't be overlooked in this trade is the fact that he's one of the team-friendliest deals in the league. Here is a breakdown of the remainder of Avdija's contract:
- 2024-25: $15,625,000
- 2025-25: $14,375,000
- 2026-27: $13,125,000
- 2027-28: $11,875,000
His average salary of $13.75 million is slightly higher than the mid-level non-taxpayer exception. It's not too shabby of a contract for a 23-year-old coming off a career-best season. It's also notable that Avdija's contract decreases in value while the salary cap is expected to rise. Given Avdija's upward trajectory, this contract will be even better in the coming seasons.