Portland Trail Blazers NBA Draft: Grades for every draft day move

Pick No. 14: Traded to the Wizards for Deni Avdija

Before the start of the draft, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Deni Avdija. The Wizards used the 14th pick on Bub Carrington from Pittsburgh.

Portland was able to get Deni Avdija after a career year in Washington, during which he averaged 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, shot 37 percent from three-point range, and was a very versatile defender. The Wizards' decision to trade Avdija is puzzling, but the Blazers got fantastic value, especially considering Avdija's team-friendly contract. After being criticized for the value they got in return for Damian Lillard, the Blazers are finally shipping out the remaining players they got from the Lillard and Holiday trades for young players who fit their timeline.

Deni Avdija, like Clingan, will bring some versatility to Portland. He's likely to start this season at small forward and contribute in multiple aspects as Portland's much-needed two-way forward who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. The Blazers gave up a lot of assets, but Avdija is a tough player who will be essential to this team's young core. They are now much better positioned in their rebuild after being under the luxury tax and having many promising players who fit their timeline.

Grade: B+