Nothing in life is free. Nothing in the NBA is free, either. When a team makes a trade, it’s always going to come at a cost.
Just ask the Los Angeles Clippers. This team acquired James Harden earlier in the year. So far, that’s looked like a fantastic decision. The Clippers are rolling with Harden as their primary playmaker. Still, acquiring him came at a cost.
The most significant cost was the draft capital. Still, the Clippers gave up several quality rotation players in pursuit of Harden. Most notably, they lost several big, defensive-minded wings. Could they acquire Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards?
NBA Trade Proposal
Washington Wizards Receive: F P.J. Tucker, 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAC)
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: F Deni Avdija
Nobody should expect anything to be free. With that said, they can expect to get a good deal. That’s the art of an NBA trade. In simple terms, the goal is to get more than you give.
The Wizards were not able to do that with Bradley Beal. They waited too long before moving him. As a result, the Wizards didn’t get the return for Beal that they could have if they’d moved him a couple of seasons prior.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Did the Phoenix Suns fleece them? We’re not entirely sure. Beal has struggled to stay healthy this year. The Suns have been disappointing, and Beal is on a massive, long-term deal. This may have been a lose-lose trade. Could the Wizards win this deal?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
The Wizards don’t have to move Avdija. He’s young enough to be part of their rebuild. Still, it’s being reported that this front office has received a mandate from ownership to improve their collection of draft capital.
That seems sensible enough. The Wizards may not get an unprotected first for Avdija. He’s a limited offensive player. Yet, this pick swap is nearly as valuable. If the Wizards rebuild properly, they should have every opportunity to surpass an aging, injury-prone, asset-depleted Clippers club by 2030.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Otherwise, next season is the last year of Tucker’s deal. The Wizards could let him ride his contract out, or find terms on a buyout. Either way, taking him on is inconsequential. Should the Clippers move him?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
Give Tucker credit. He’s been an instrumental role player on some of the most competitive teams of his generation. Unfortunately, in 2023-24, it’s evident that Tucker is nearing the end of his career.
By contrast, Avdija is just getting started. He’s a similar multipositional defender. Avdija is also connecting from long range with solid efficiency this year. Moreover, he offers a bit of secondary playmaking.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Avdija more closely resembles another recently departed Clipper – Nicolas Batum. He’s got a remarkably similar skillset that ought to fit perfectly with this Clippers roster. In other words, he’s worth giving up a distant pick swap for.
