Cavaliers Urged To Trade For Wizards’ Deni Avdija

One NBA writer believes the Cleveland Cavaliers should trade for Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards. 

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report thinks Avdija would be a good fit in Cleveland. 

“It’s hard to know what the Cleveland Cavaliers will look like after the offseason shakeup that now seems imminent,” Hughes wrote. “In the wake of a post-elimination treatise that highlighted issues ranging from the roster’s lack of trust in coach JB Bickerstaff to the possibility of virtually everyone not named Evan Mobley being traded, the Cavs’ potential needs could be all over the map.

“It’s a good thing Deni Avdija makes sense in every hypothetical form the Cavs might take after they’re done reshuffling. A rugged 23-year-old combo forward who defended at a high level from the moment he entered the league in 2020-21, Avdija became a 37.4 percent three-point shooter, dramatically upped his foul-drawing craft, took strides as a playmaker and averaged a career-high 14.7 points per game in his recently completed fourth season.”

Avdija appeared in 75 games for the Wizards this season. He averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 50.6% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 74.0% from the free-throw line. 

The Wizards drafted Avdija with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The 23-year-old has career averages of 9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. 

“Avdija makes sense as an additional facilitator and versatile shutdown stopper, whether one or both of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland returns,” Hughes wrote. “And his improved shooting means he could function as a spacing 4 alongside Evan Mobley if Jarrett Allen winds up elsewhere.

“The Washington Wizards’ rebuild is in its infancy, and they inked Avdija to a four-year, $55 million extension in October that registers as a colossal bargain just a few months later. They won’t part with him easily. If Cleveland puts Allen on the table and considers including its 2024 first-rounder on draft night, it should be enough to get Washington’s attention.”

The Wizards missed the playoffs this year, while the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round.