Wizards President Defends Polarizing Deni Avdija Trade Amid His All-Star-Caliber Season: ‘It Was Not a Mistake’

When Deni Avdija was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Portland Trail Blazers in the summer of 2024, no one expected the way it turned out.

LeBron James Praises Deni Avdija as Young Forward Posts MVP-Level Numbers in Portland

After a breakout season this year, Wizards president Michael Winger addressed the media, claiming the trade of Avdija was not a mistake. Winger said, “No, it was not a mistake. We’re all very happy for Deni. We saw Deni as a very high-level ascending player.”

“But no, we did it for the reasons we said then, which was to take us back a couple of years so we could reset the roster and so that everybody was on the same age curve, and Deni’s ahead of that.”

During his time with the Wizards, the Israeli forward served as a second option and saw limited playing time, as Washington prioritized young player development. In his best season in the capital (23/24), Avdija averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 30.1 minutes per game.

Following that season, he was traded from Washington for Malcolm Brogdon (now retired), a 2024 first-round pick (Bub Carrington), and a 2029 first-round pick. Avdija left a team that prioritised developing players and placing limitations on joining a team where limitations were lost, and he could become the player he wanted to be.

With Damian Lillard injured, the Trail Blazers have handed the 25-year-old the keys to the franchise, and they haven’t looked back. This year, he’s been in All-Star caliber form, averaging 26 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, which compares him to some MVP frontrunners.

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Only Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Avdija have recorded an average of 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists this season. His breakout campaign has earned him recognition from the game’s greatest player, LeBron James, who has sung the forward’s praises on multiple occasions. Just last week, James said, “He’s having a hell of a season. He should be an All-Star. He’s playing great basketball.”

Avdija just missed out on being a Western Conference All-Star starter, finishing seventh in the starters’ vote. He finished fifth in Western Conference All-Star fan voting, accumulating 2.2 million votes, but came up short in player and media votes. No one expected the Trail Blazers to be in any sort of contention for the play-in or playoffs, with coach Chauncey Billups given a long-term suspension from the NBA.

It just highlights how impressive and influential Avdija has been for Portland, as they sit ninth in the Western Conference with a 23-22 record. The All-Star reserves haven’t been selected yet, but the meteoric rise of the young forward certainly gives him a fantastic chance of suiting up in LA amongst the NBA’s best.