Deni Avdija Is Breaking Out For The Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija R drives against Los Angeles Clippers’ Kris Dunn during the 2025-2026 NBA regular season match between Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles, the United States, on Oct. 26, 2025. (Photo by Ringo Chiu/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

During the later stages of last season, Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija began exploring his own game.

The 6’9 forward would create looks for himself with far higher regularity, act as a primary playmaker, and do all of that while maintaining his rebounding focus, and sharpening both his handle, and outside shot.

It’s clear what type of player he wanted to become: An all-around wing, who can play in virtually every system, and act as both an on-ball and off-ball threat.

Well, fortunately for him, that vision seems to have been proven realistic.

Career-year so far

Avdija is netting 22.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on the young season, while having improved the volume of his three-point shot, and upped his free throw rate.

The evolution of Avdija provides the Blazers with an opportunity – or a safety net, depending how you view it – in case Scoot Henderson doesn’t live up to expectations.

Portland, who has long needed a primary player, flat-out hasn’t been able to identify one after they traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.

Lillard, who is now back in Portland, is rehabbing from a torn Achilles, and isn’t expected to play this season, further providing shots and touches to Avdija.

The 24-year-old forward is a bit of a hybrid, in the sense that he can play on the perimeter, as a more traditional small forward, and attack the basket, as a more traditional four, while simultaneously keeping his options open off his playmaking.

That’s a combination of skills that’s fairly rare in the NBA, and one which many teams covets.

Trade piece?

The fact that Avdija’s contract is descending, lowering his cap percentage every year, only makes him that much more attractive on the trade market, which is also make him an asset to the Blazers, should they eventually look to make major changes.

Essentially, the Blazers could ask for the moon for Avdija, and likely get it.

Thus, the question this season becomes that of whether Avdija plays too well to even be considered as part of an outgoing trade package.

As of right now, he probably is.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.