2 Wizards who became untouchable in 2024

Deni Avdija

Considered by many to be the 2023-24 Wizards' most valuable player, Deni Avdija is not going anywhere. The 23-year-old forward put pen to paper on a four-year, $55 million rookie contract extension last October, a proactive signing by Dawkins that locks in the team's longest-tenured player through the 2027-28 season.

Avdija's season was filled with career bests, setting new per-game highs in points, rebounds, and assists. The Wizards' coaching staff worked pointedly with Avdija to improve his outside scoring ability, raising his 29.7 percent three-point shooting mark from last season up to 37.4 percent by the end of this year's campaign.

The addition of a respectable three-point shot has forced teams to meet Deni beyond the arc, allowing him to blow past his primary defender with a quick first step and score through contact at the rim. The Wizards began to involve Avdija as a playmaker in their late-season scoring approach as well, working to round out the fourth-year forward as a complete offensive weapon.

His tireless motor and unusual combination of size and speed has made Avdija a beloved addition to this team, connecting with the fans as they have grown accustom to seeing him lead the way in the team's winning efforts.

Looking forward, Dawkins and the rest of the Wizards' front office must not budge on any trade proposals for Avdija or Coulibaly this summer. The two have become integral pieces in the Wizards' rebuild and will hopefully become key players on the new contending team in Washington.