Deni Avdija’s All-Star Nod is a BAD LOOK for Washington Wizards But Proves They Made Right Choice
On today’s episode of Locked On Wizards, Ben Strober and Abdullah dissect Deni Avdija’s All-Star appearance shortly after being traded from Washington to Portland, debating whether the move was actually the right call for the Wizards’ timeline despite the optics. They examine how Avdija’s success impacts the perception of the Wizards’ rebuild, compare the talented Kyshawn George to Avdija, and look ahead to how George could quickly make fans forget about the trade. The crew also breaks down Bub Carrington’s development, discusses the biggest weaknesses and growth areas for the Wizards’ young roster, and dives deep into the NBA Draft sweepstakes—specifically the heated debate between top prospects AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson after their notable matchup. To wrap up, Ben and Abdullah consider whether the Wizards or Trail Blazers are closer to a Conference Finals and why patience is crucial for rebuilding a team.
[00:00:01] Deni Avdija’s All-Star Appearance: Bad Optics, Right Move?
Ben Strober introduces the debate on whether trading Avdija looks bad for the Wizards but ultimately fits the team’s long-term direction.
[00:02:28] Why Deni Wasn’t the Wizards’ Cornerstone
The hosts discuss Avdija’s impact in Portland, what it means for Washington’s timeline, and why keeping him would hinder their high draft pick positioning.
[00:10:25] From Regime Change to Rebuild: Front Office Philosophy
Insights on why the Wizards have moved on from so many of the previous regime’s picks and how that affects the young core.
[00:13:03] Keyshawn George: Next In Line for Stardom?
A look at Keyshawn George’s potential as a future All-Star and how his rapid development has provided optimism in the rebuild.
[00:23:00] NBA Draft Spotlight: Darrin Peterson vs. AJ DeBanza
Ben and Abdullah go deep into the recent Kansas vs. BYU matchup and debate who should be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.
[00:30:17] Patience, Process, and Rebuild: Who Gets to the Conference Finals First?
The final thoughts on whether the Wizards or Blazers are closer to contention, with a reminder to trust the process—drawing parallels to teams like the Charlotte Hornets.
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12 Comments
🫡Can't be serious. Deni is not a Leader. He is good with peers. Our Youngins need guidance and time. I like our two 1RP for Deni 👍
kyshawn will be the next wizards all star
The only bad part of this trade is that we had to take Malcolm Brogdon’s broken down ass.
And I told you guys when they traded him away that was the biggest mistake that would regret that he was gonna be a multiple All-Star player and I said that was a bad mistake. Big mistake when the trade was made and you all thought it was great and I said it was a bad deal. That was the one player they should’ve kept. I think I’ve been shown right
Not a bad move. In fact, the move looks really good. He is an All-Star on a mid team. Would he have made a difference on this team? No.
Think Blazers fans would be happy at the cost. Thats the only nick
Guys ben, abdullah i love you guys love the way yall work yall know this but please. Dont turn into front office defenders for the sake of being kept in good regards by the franchise. Its okay to admit that it was a mistake its okay to admit that the front office has not hit 100% no one does. But we cant just act like we can just change narratives or agendas to fit their narrative please we would all be better if we just together admit it was wrong nobody’s perfect and move on! Please
Let’s normalize comparing usage, minutes, and role instead of just box scores. Deni and Bub were not given the same development environment in Years 1-2. Deni spent his first seasons in a low-usage, connector role, with limited on-ball reps and a short leash. Bub has had starter-level minutes, higher usage, and real creation reps from day one.
Because of that, Deni’s leap in Year 6 is extremely rare in NBA history. Late breakouts almost never happen without early reps. Expecting Bub to “do the same” ignores context and misunderstands development.
Cavs will probably salary dump Lonzo to the Wizards. Makes sense for both teams.
lol do you sign Trae? 😅
He’s in Portland so wgaf
Fans trying see who won the trade now is kinda half ass to me, for the simple fact the Wizards wouldn't even allow Deni to play consistently like in Portland tanking and developing young players. In Portland he doesn't have to worry about them developing a WHOLE team around him, while tanking in the process. Gotta give this trade another 2 years at least to come to a final decision.