The Washington Wizards have had their fair share of lottery picks over the course of the last few years.
Washington has taken swing after swing hoping that along the way they could find their next superstar to build around, especially after moving on from John Wall and Bradley Beal over the course of the last five years.
Last offseason, the Wizards made two lottery selections in the NBA Draft. At No. 2 overall, Washington selected Alex Sarr, who they hope to be a focus point in their rebuild.
In addition to Sarr, Washington managed to acquire the No. 14 overall pick, in which they used to select Bub Carrington out of Pittsburgh. However, to land Carrington, the Wizards parted ways with another former lottery pick.
Wizards regret from Deni Avdija trade is growing
The Wizards drafted Deni Avdija with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Avdija spent four seasons at Washington, where he continuously improved year after year.
In his final season in D.C., the forward averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while shooting 50.6% from field goal range and 37.4% from three through 75 starts. Despite his career-year, Washington still didn't see enough promise to keep the 6-foot-9 playmaker around for their future plans.
Avdija found himself as the center-point of a draft night trade that sent him to the Portland Trail Blazers, in exchange draft comp, including for the No. 14 overall pick that landed the Wizards Bub Carrington and Malcolm Brogdon.
Following the deal, the young wing turned the heartbreak of being traded away into motivation putting together a career-year in his first season with the Trail Blazers. Up to this point of the season, Avdija is averaging 16.3 points, 7 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while shooting 47.4% from field goal range and 36.8% from beyond the arc.
And while his season averages are impressive on its own, Advija has really turned the corner for the Trail Blazers over the team's recent stretch.
Over the team's last 18 games, Avdija is averaging over 20 points, 8 rebounds and just under 5 assists.
Obviously, the forward used the change of scenery to his advantage to turn the corner. However, there's also the thought that the Wizards may have given up on him too early.
Of course draft compensation, another young player and an experienced veteran made the deal worth it at the time, but right now, there's no doubt that the Wizards may be feeling some sort of regret for parting ways with Avdija.