Deni Avdija has become a legitimate All-Star for the Portland Trail Blazers, completely outplaying what is arguably the most team-friendly contract in the association. Eventually, Portland will have to renegotiate and extend its rising star to lock him down long-term as its face of the franchise, but the rapidly rising value of that next deal presents an unexpected financial challenge.
Avdija is owed just $14.4 million this season. He's also on a front-loaded contract, meaning he's on the books for just $11.9 million in the 2027-28 season. While that's currently an ideal situation that allowed Portland flexibility to bring in Jrue Holiday while extending Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara this offseason, it actually [complicates things](https://ripcityproject.com/blazers-deni-avdija-problem-horizon-nba-hopes-pounce) in terms of figuring out the next deal.
Deni Avdija is completely outplaying his contract
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Portland can offer Avdija 140% of the final year of his contract in a potential extension, which only amounts to just $16.5 million. He's likely going to be seeking an All-Star-level salary, especially after being underpaid these past seasons (although that didn't stop him from gifting the entire team mini fridges for the holidays).
To reach that next deal, the Blazers will first have to renegotiate the current contract and then extend off that figure instead.
While his breakout is refreshing for a Blazers team that has desperately needed more star power since Damian Lillard's first stint, I'm not sure Portland was prepared to deal with the financial ramifications of such a rapid ascent. It makes the Jrue Holiday-Anfernee Simons swap much more puzzling, as Portland would've had much more financial flexibility if they still had Simons' expiring contract to work with. Now, the Blazers owe Holiday and Jerami Grant each north of $100 million over the next three years. Not ideal for two veterans who are currently injured and a tier below stardom, even when fully healthy.
Avdija's level of play should force Portland [to buy at the deadline](https://ripcityproject.com/deni-avdija-making-blazers-trade-deadline-move-more-likely-day) and surround him with more complementary pieces, particularly in the shooting department. However, they also need to consider the opposite approach as sellers -- at least for their two most expensive players.
Avdija's next contract needs to be a top priority. It's challenging for a small market like Portland to acquire star power via free agency, and they haven't quite nailed the draft throughout their rebuild either. Their best bet to returning to the postseason lies in their trade with the Washington Wizards. They need to proactively clear space to lock him down, even if that means taking a step back in the short term.