NBA draft night usually features flurries of trades that leave fans struggling to follow who and what is going where. 2024 was no different. Here are my thoughts on every deal that went down.
(Note: this article only includes trades that involved at least one non 2024 draftee.)
Trade #1
Wizards receive: Malcolm Brogdon, 14th overall pick (Bub Carrington), 2029 first round pick, 2028 and 2030 second round picks
Trail Blazers receive: Deni Avdija
The first trade that happened during 2024 draft festivities was the most interesting. The Wizards gave up one of their best young prospects in Deni Avdija in exchange for a treasure chest of picks. It was a confusing deal to many at first, but it may end up being a pretty even deal.
The Trail Blazers, who are now all in on rebuilding in the post-Dame era, are adding what could be a core piece for the long haul in Avdija. The Israel native, who was drafted ninth overall in 2020, was quietly a MIP candidate this past season. He’s been a rock-solid on-ball defender his entire career, but Avdija made significant strides on the other end in year four, specifically as a shooter. He shot a career-best 37.4% from long range on 3.1 attempts per game this past season. Now that the shot is coming along, Avdija has become a very complete player. He fills Portland’s weakest position, forward, and will be a fun running mate for Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan.
The two underrated aspects of Portland adding Avdija are his durability and his contract. In the last three seasons, he’s played 82, 76, and 75 games. Availability is the best ability, and the Blazers will be able to rely on their new forward to consistently play games. As for the contract, Avdija is on a deal that’s ridiculously cheap compared to what players of his caliber are making these days. It’s a front-loaded deal, meaning his annual salary will decrease over time. In 2027-28, he’ll be making just $11.8 million. Talk about a steal.
For the Wizards side of things, the deal was originally a bit of a head scratcher. Why give up a guy who is young, one of your best players, and locked up on a cheap deal? Well, Portland made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. Two first round picks, two second round picks, and a player who is probably worth a first round pick is a big haul, especially when one of those picks becomes Bub Carrington. Carrington, an 18 year old guard from Pittsburgh, has the potential to be an All-Star and could be Washington’s lead guard for the future.
Malcolm Brogdon, who is just one year removed from winning Sixth Man of the Year, likely won’t be more than a short term rental for the team. However, while he’s there, he will be a much needed veteran presence. Brogdon is smart, steady, and unselfish and could be a mentor to young guys like Carrington. He’s also a good player who can help the Wizards be a little more competitive while rebuilding.
Stockpiling assets is a good move for a rebuilding team. Just look at the Thunder. With this trade, the Wizards deepened their pool of picks while also adding a prospect with higher potential than Avdija. That seems like a win.
Trade #2
Pistons receive: Wendell Moore Jr., 37th overall pick (Bobi Klintman)
Timberwolves receive: 53rd overall pick (later traded to another team)
With this trade, the Timberwolves basically paid the Pistons to take Wendell Moore off their hands, likely just to free up a roster spot. The payment came in the form of the pick that became Bobi Klintman, a young 6’10” forward who is oozing with 3&D potential. He’s an interesting prospect, but the Wolves don’t really have room to develop him with recent draftees Leonard Miller and Josh Minott occupying the same position. Wendell Moore hasn’t shown much of anything in his short career, but he was a first round pick, and is an interesting very low risk, medium reward swing for the Pistons.
Trade #3
Rockets receive: AJ Griffin
Hawks receive: 44th overall pick (later traded to another team)
Two years ago, AJ Griffin was considered one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft class. He fell to the 16th pick, but in his rookie season, he played like the lottery guy he was supposed to be. He had one of most efficient shooting seasons by a rookie ever, posting excellent percentages from mid-range and from three. He had Hawks fans and NBA nerds alike excited about the player he could become. Inexplicably, though, Atlanta gave up on him this past season. He played just 8.6 minutes per game across 20 appearances. The coaching staff may know something we don’t, but as of now, there’s no reason to believe Griffin isn’t capable of returning to his first-year form.
Buying low on Griffin is a phenomenal move for Houston for multiple reasons. For one, they could really use some three-point shooting. At his floor, Griffin could come off the bench and knock down a couple shots while spacing the floor for Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. At his ceiling, though, he could become a key rotation piece for them and maybe even a starter. It will be a tough road, as he will compete for minutes with guys like Green, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason, but there’s a world where he gets there. That’s why this is the best low risk, high reward move of the night. Bravo, Houston.
Trade #4
Warriors receive: Lindy Waters III
Thunder receive: 52nd overall pick (later traded to another team)
This deal is very inconsequential, but is still somewhat intriguing if you’re a total hoops nerd. Lindy Waters is a legit movement shooter who has been solid in the limited minutes he’s received for the Thunder. He shot 43.5% from deep this past season. It’s easy to picture Waters fitting into Golden State’s movement-heavy offense if he ever sees the court..
The funny part about this trade is that after a series of other moves, the 52nd pick ended up back with the Warriors. They used it to select Quinten Post, a seven-foot center from Boston College with real floor-spacing ability.
Trade #5
Kings receive: Jalen McDaniels
Raptors receive: Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, 45th overall pick (Jamal Shead)
In this trade, the Kings are sending away two players they have no need for anymore in exchange for a guy who fits their team much better. In McDaniels, they’re getting a super toolsy and versatile forward. He can defend, shoot, and cut, and could definitely share the court with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Really, he’s a dollar store version of Jerami Grant, a guy who has been linked in trade rumors to the Kings for a long time.
Davion Mitchell, Sacramento’s lottery pick back in 2021, has largely failed to live up to expectations up to this point in his career. His defense has been fantastic, but he hasn’t done enough offensively to play a real rotational role. With Devin Carter coming to town, Mitchell would have been buried even deeper in the depth chart had he remained in Sactown. Sasha Vezenkov, the former Euroleague MVP, had requested a trade and is more of a salary dump than anything in this deal.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, though. The rebuilding Raptors should be excited about taking on Davion Mitchell, as a new situation often does wonders for struggling young players. Toronto has long loved players who play pesky defense, and that’s exactly what Mitchell does. They’re not just getting one pest, though. Jamal Shead was the NCAA’s defensive player of the year this past season and could form an impeccable defensive backcourt off the bench with Mitchell. Good luck getting the ball across half court when those guys are in.
Trade #6
Hornets receive: Reggie Jackson
Nuggets receive: Three second round picks
For Denver, this trade was nothing more than a salary dump. Their core has become very expensive and they need to find ways to save some money around the edges. The Hornets are getting a solid veteran guard in Reggie Jackson who can be trusted to handle the ball and get some buckets off the bench.
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Be on the lookout for draft grades and thoughts on other offseason moves coming soon!
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