Last summer, the Portland Trail Blazers shocked the NBA world by trading for Deni Avdija. Portland paid a steep price to acquire Avdija from the Washington Wizards, sending over Malcolm Brogdon, No. 14 overall pick Bub Carrington, a 2029 first-round pick (second-most favorable from Portland), and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030).
It turns out, they knew exactly what they were doing. The Blazers were able to get under the luxury tax from this deal. Avdija is on arguably the best contract in the entire association, owed $39.4 million over the next three years. Most importantly, they added the best player on their roster.