The Oregonian/OregonLive is taking a player-by-player look at thePortland Trail Blazers roster heading into the offseason.
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Prior posts:Anfernee Simons;Shaedon Sharpe; Scoot Henderson; Jerami Grant;Toumani Camara; Deandre Ayton; Donovan Clingan; Robert Williams III; Matisse Thybulle; Dalano Banton, Kris Murray;Jabari Walker;Duop Reath; Rayan Rupert;Justin Minaya;Bryce McGowens; Sidy Cissoko.
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Height, position, age: 6-foot-9, forward, 24.
Contract status: Avdija’s contract, which will pay him $14.4 million next season, has three years remaining. His contract decreases each season until he makes $11.8 million during the 2027-28 season.
2024-25 contributions (reference): The Blazers acquired Avdija in a draft-day trade with Washington, believing that his best years were ahead of him, and loving his cap-friendly contract.
After experiencing early-season struggles, Avdija developed into the Blazers’ best all-around player. He finished the season with career highs in points per game (16.9), rebounding (7.3), assists (3.9) and steals (1.0).
His shooting numbers dipped slightly from his fourth season in Washington. He shot 47.6% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range, compared to 50.6% and 37.4% in his final season with the Wizards.
However, much of his early shooting issues could be attributed to Avdija’s adjustment period with his team and new role.
Through November, he shot 39.5% from the field and 31.2% on threes.
From Dec. 1 on, Avdija shot 49.9% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc, averaging 19.1 points per game.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.Naji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Fit moving forward: Give coach Chauncey Billups five Avdijas, and the Blazers win 50 games.
Avdija is everything Billups seeks in a player: tough, physical, competitive, unselfish, aggressive, and versatile.
He holds teammates accountable and inspires them to play harder.
“I just play hard and work hard, and I feel like it’s kind of like shown for our young guys as well,” Avdija said at the end of the season. “But I definitely like to be an example.”
His adjustment period involved learning teammates and them learning him, as well as learning to handle new responsibilities.
Billups encouraged Avdija to play aggressively in transition: push the ball, attack the basket, find teammates, and make plays.
Avdija didn’t play that role much in Washington. So, it took some getting used to. But as his confidence grew, so did his production.
Trade value: High. Avdija has one of the best contracts in the NBA. He established himself as a versatile high-end talent this season and will make under $15 million per season for the next three.
Most players at his level are making at least $20 million per season, if not $30 million.
Toronto Raptors v Portland Trail Blazers
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Moda Center on March 16, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Getty Images
Likelihood to return: A virtual lock. Trading Avdija would require getting back an All-NBA level talent.
2025-26 outlook: All-Star? Maybe?
Avdija established himself as a force during his final 15 appearances, averaging 24.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He shot 51.5% from the field and 44.2% from long distance during that stretch.
Those were All-Star caliber numbers, and he put them up with the team chasing a play-in berth.
Becoming an All-Star in the deep Western Conference would be difficult. But his chances would be enhanced if the team played .500 basketball or better during the first half of the way, with him leading the charge. That would also require Avdija to be special at both ends of the court.
“The next step for me is to become a great two-way player,” Avdija said. “Be more involved on the defensive end.”
If that happens, and the offensive production Avdija showed during the second half of the season continues into next season, the Blazers could have a legitimate star player to build around.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)