Wizards fleeced Trail Blazers in Deni Avdija trade after Saddiq Bey signing

The Washington Wizards have signed Saddiq Bey to a three-year, $20 million contract, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The move solidifies the fact that the Wizards fleeced the Portland Trail Blazers in the Deni Avdija trade.

Earlier this summer, right before the 2024 NBA Draft, the Wizards traded Avdija to the Trail Blazers. In return, they received Malcolm Brogdon, the No. 14 pick in the draft (which turned into rookie guard Bub Carrington), a 2029 first, and two second-round picks.

On top of that, they were able to make space to sign Bey in free agency, giving them another wing option moving forward after he recovers from his current ACL injury.

Obviously, Avdija is a fine player, but the Wizards inking Bey to a three-year deal was the final straw, ensuring that they fleeced Portland in the trade, and fans on Twitter have already taken notice.

Saddiq Bey signing proves Wizards fleeced Trail Blazers in Deni Avdija trade

One user pointed out the distinct difference in assets. On the one hand, the Wizards could have Avdija, or on the other, they could have what they got—Carrington, Bey, Brogdon, and a bunch of picks.

Now, there was a world where the Wizards could have had both Avdija and Bey, but then, they wouldn’t have gotten the chance to draft Carrington, nor would they have added Brogdon (or whatever return they get for him in a future trade).

Avdija is 23 years old, and Bey is only a couple of years older at 25. Meanwhile, Carrington is still only 18 years old, and he will be 19 for the entirety of his rookie season.

Portland likely wants Avdija to pair with Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan moving forward, but in order to get him, they had to give up a haul. It’s a huge haul from which the Wizards will benefit for years to come.

Bey was the final straw that broke the camel’s back, but the Wizards were winning the Avijda trade far before that signing came along. His addition to the mix simply ensures that the Avdija-Trail Blazers trade was an absolute slam dunk by the Wizards.

They fleeced the Trail Blazers.