NBA Trade Rumors: Deni Avdija to Blazers; Wizards Get Brogdon, 2024 No. 14 Draft Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers have traded guard Malcolm Brogdon and the No. 14 pick of the 2024 NBA draft to the Washington Wizards in exchange for forward Deni Avdija, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

The Blazers also included a conditional 2029 first-rounder and two second-rounders, per Wojnarowski.

Avdija finished sixth in Most Improved Player voting in 2023-24. He averaged 14.7 points on impressive efficiency, highlighted by a 50.6 field-goal percentage and a 37.4 three-point percentage.

He also averaged career highs in rebounds (7.2) and assists (3.8).

The No. 9 pick of the 2020 draft began his Washington career as a defensive-minded reserve player, but he began to grow his offensive game while making 75 starts in his fourth season.

The 23-year-old signed a four-year, $55 million extension in October that starts this upcoming season.

That will inject some youth into the Blazers' roster in place of the 31-year-old Brogdon.

Brogdon averaged 15.7 points on 44.0 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Blazers in 2023-24. He only played 39 games, primarily due to a season-ending injury (tendinitis in his right elbow).

Portland acquired Brogdon, Robert Williams and two first-round picks via trade from the Boston Celtics for Jrue Holiday on Oct. 1, 2023. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year at the time landed on a Blazers team that's rebuilding in the post-Damian Lillard era.

A nine-year veteran like Brogdon, who is clearly capable of competing for an NBA title-contending team, perhaps wasn't the best fit for Portland on paper.

Brogdon let it be known, though, that he was happy in Portland and felt valued in town, as told to Jason Quick of The Athletic:

"I'm happy here. I'm valued here. Valued in this leadership/lead-guard role," Brogdon said. "And I can't complain with that. I'm happy in Portland."

However, Brogdon's name had surfaced in trade rumors, perhaps in part because of an expiring contract (2024-25 marked the final year of a two-season, $45 million extension). Of note, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports noted that the Blazers needed "at least a first-round pick" to move on from Brogdon.

The former Virginia star has carved out a solid NBA career. He began his pro stint with three years on the Milwaukee Bucks, who rose up the standings during his time there in part because of his excellence. Brogdon earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2016-17 and enjoyed a 50/40/90 season in 2018-19.

Brogdon left the Bucks for the Indiana Pacers in a sign-and-trade in July 2019. One year later, Brogdon averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game.

After the 2021-22 season, the Pacers traded Brogdon to the C's. He was a great fit on a Boston team that finished just one win shy of making the NBA Finals.

Following a brief stint in Portland, though, Brogdon is now a member of the Wizards, who will surely benefit from his presence as they shoot for greater heights.