The Portland Trail Blazers roster is in a state of flux during the 2024-25 season. Several sterling newcomers are pushing forward into new minutes and roles as more veteran players try to carry the team through the transitional year.
Today we’re going to put a series of difficult propositions before Blazers fans. If you were forced to choose between players with similar positions and/or roles, who would you keep and who would you let go?
In each post we’re going to name two or more Blazers players. If the team only kept one, which would you choose and why? You don’t have to imagine the other player disappearing. The Blazers might trade them or let their contract expire for cap savings. There would be all the usual benefits for letting go of the departing player. You just couldn’t keep them.
This post is likely to be difficult. Deni Avdija has been one of the bright spots in Portland’s lineup since the Blazers acquired him from the Washington Wizards last summer. Defense, shooting, ball distribution...he does it all. At times, he’s taken over primary facilitating duties, often on the break, but even in the halfcourt. Success has been mixed, as he tends to turn over the ball frequently. But his spark is unmistakable.
Up until a couple months ago, comparisons between Avdija and Scoot Henderson would have seemed ludicrous. But Henderson has come on strong in 2025, scoring with authority, upping his field goal percentages, cutting down on turnovers, and showing the potential to be the game-changing point guard the Blazers thought they were getting third overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. But he’s still not there and he still might not be a true facilitator.
Avdija is the Blazer of the Year, likely. Henderson might be the Blazer of the Future. If the Blazers could only keep one of them, which would you choose and why? Share in the comments section below and watch for more either-or choices throughout the day!