RealGM

Washington trade: Avdija
Detroit trade: Duren, 2024 pick swap

Why for Detroit: pick up a wing who can help them win now. Spend money in FA (Claxton, Hartenstein etc) to fill C hole instead of overpaying for eh wings on the market
Why for Washington: get their C of the future and more rolls for the lottery to get their next franchise player

I know its supposed to be a bad draft in quotes, but I don't know that either team can do this. The variability up top is a lot. And Washington fans may seem to overvalue Avdija due to a dearth of over valuable assets, but this does leave such a high chance of getting nothing but egg on the face as a result. Not sure anyone has enough ulcer meds to pull the trigger

Wiz fan here and I agree with Hartford Whalers. Wouldn't do it given what Avdija means to the Wiz and the nature of the 2024 draft, with no surefire superstar at the very top. And if there were that superstar, I don't think Detroit would do it.

How can you talk about a pick swap between two lottery teams a week before the lottery?

We would probably need to do this but wouldn't

I value Denis ability and position a bit more than Duren

Even in the most extreme scenario (Pistons at 1, Wizards at 5- they can’t get 6 if the Pistons are in top 4) I’d do this I think.

Duren is vastly overrated by Pistons' fans, but they should 100% take this and run. I'd also offer Ivey if Washington prefers him to Duren, maybe they go for "potential" and don't realize Avdija has maybe more potential than both of them and is a better player and infinitely more valuable archetype already.

I think Avdija is a lot more valuable given the way centers are valued in today's NBA. The pick swap may not even happen or may be so small as to be nearly valueless; we will see tomorrow. Heck, the pick swap seems odd even if Washington does pick after Detroit. The only real reason to move up is for Sarr if you are a believer and if you are getting Sarr, swapping Avdija for Duren doesn't make as much sense.

The OP at least makes sense if you are talking Detroit's high lotto pick for Washington's #26. Then I might do it depending on how you evaluate the available players; I don't pretend to be a draft expert but I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Winger and Dawkins if they think it's a good deal.

I’m good with that trade - swapping a non-shooting, subpar defensive center for a small forward who shoots a little above league average. Cade would be good with it too.

Pistons can find a center in free agency. Or maybe we could bring back Marvin Bagley III in the trade

Not sure the pick swap makes sense when attaching it to Duren. I guess if Detroit lands #2 and Washington gets #6 it makes some sense, but even there the draft is kind of flat. Washington would have to be really targeting someone. And don't know if Washington would want to move up to #1 for Sarr in a deal where they also trade for Duren.

I'd probably do it regardless from Detroit's point of view. Deni is a perfect fit and the Pistons almost certainly have to move one of Ausar or Duren for fit anyways.

What else could be used to even the value if the pick swap doesn't make sense?

Since early February, Deni has averaged 19.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists on a .604 TS%. The team was just -1.2 per 100 possessions in those minutes, so Deni had that talentless roster playing like a 37-win team while he was on the floor. When Tyus got hurt and Deni took on more PG responsibilities, he averaged 19.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a .612 TS% in 12 games. All of this while being a borderline elite defender capable of guarding 1 though 5.

Teams don't trade two-way 23-year-olds who are just breaking out. Not when they are locked into an ultra-cheap 4-year deal. It just doesn't happen, unless it's part of a package for a superstar like Bridges for Durant, Haliburton for Sabonis, or SGA for Paul George. And before you laugh at me comparing Deni to SGA or Haliburton, go look at their numbers in the season prior to when those trades were made.

Skybox wrote:How can you talk about a pick swap between two lottery teams a week before the lottery?

The lottery is today... right?

Washington can keep their pick and we just do pick for Deni.

I don't mind trading Duren and our 24 pick, I would even add Ivey/Stew/Ausar for the right player.

Avdija is just not the player I value that high, I would not trade our first for him.

I like duren but Deni is going nowhere.