An hour before Adam Silver read out Zaccharie Risacher’s name at the NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers hit “go” on a trade to secure 23-year-old Deni Avdija.
I mention his age because after four years with the Washington Wizards, the 6’9 Avdija is no older than some of the rookies selected earlier this week.
Though the price for the Israeli’s services wasn’t cheap, it wasn’t ridiculous either. The Blazers parted with Malcolm Brogdon, this year's 14th pick, the second best of Portland’s three 2029 first round picks and two second rounders.