The Washington Wizards made a surprising trade ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft starting Wednesday evening. They sent 2020 top-10 pick Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers for a package of selections, including the 14th pick in this year’s draft.
Trading Avdija is the clearest indication yet that Washington is going into full-scale rebuild mode. Still only 23 years old, he had a breakout 2023-24 campaign. The Israel native averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 51% shooting last season.
Washington used the selection acquired for Avdija on guard Carlton Carrington from Pitt. It was one of three first-round picks the Wizards made Wednesday night. Things obviously started with France center Alex Sarr at No. 2 overall. The Wizards then nabbed former Miami (F) wing Kyshawn George at 24 after a trade with the New York Knicks.
We’re now hearing some more on the Wizards rebuild plans. It could include moving off yet another recent first-round pick.
Related: Updated Washington Wizards news and rumors
Washington Wizards put Corey Kispert on NBA trade block
Yahoo! Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that Washington has Kispert on the trade block as the NBA Draft continues on Thursday. Other teams have called Washington about the potential of acquiring him.
Kispert, 25, was the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga. While his game has not matured like we saw with Avdija last season, he can still be considered a solid wing.
The 2023-24 campaign saw Kispert average 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 38% from three-point range.
It seems to be obvious that the Wizards are looking to make wholesale changes to their roster this summer. That could also include trading star forward Kyle Kuzma.