Wizards Land Malcolm Brogdon, Picks; Sending Deni Avdija To Blazers

The Washington Wizards are sending forward Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Malcolm Brogdon and the No. 14 overall pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The Wizards will also receive the Blazers’ second-most favorable 2029 first-round picks and two second-round picks, Woj added.

Brogdon is coming off another fine season, though there are questions as to whether the Wizards will keep him. For now, it seems, they will. Washington will be his fifth team.

Meanwhile, Avdija appeared in 75 games with the Wizards last season, averaging  14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists, shooting 51 percent from the field and 37 percent on 3-pointers.

Brogdon averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds in his first and only season in Portland. He has also spent time with the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers.

This may not be the last move for the Wizards this offseason, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

“The Wizards are exploring every pathway to try to stockpile assets and, with three turns already in the first round at Nos. 2, 14 and 26, there is rising curiosity about their plans for Kyle Kuzma,” Stein wrote. “Sacramento (No. 13) is known to be interested in the versatile Kuzma once again.”

Earlier this week, Anthony Slater and Sam Amick of The Athletic also mentioned Kuzma as a potential trade target for the Kings.

“Kuzma has an appealing contract,” Slater and Amick wrote. “He is under control for the next three seasons at an affordable and declining rate: $23.5 million, $21.4 million, $19.4 million, attached to a trade kicker that would add $3 million each season unless Kuzma waives it. He remains a name to watch for the Kings heading into the week.”

That said, the Wizards have no intention of moving Kuzma just because, sources told Hoops Wire. He has a good relationship with new coach Brian Keefe and Washington wants to see if it’s something on which to build. Kuzma could be traded — but he won’t be given away, sources said.

Washington has not won 50 games in a season since 1979, its last appearance in the NBA Finals.