After years of searching for a small forward with entry-level quality, the Portland Trail Blazers I may have finally found one in Deni Avdija.
In addition to selecting rookie center Donovan Clingan in the NBA ProjectThe other big move the Blazers made this summer was acquisition of Avdija of the Washington Wizards in a deal that has been generally met with positive reviews. At 6’11”, Avdija brings a sought-after combination of size, athleticism, defensive skills and scoring ability – all while being just 23 years old on the most favorable of team contracts.
In HoopsHype’s recent offseason list of the NBA’s top 30 small forwards,Avdija is ranked 24th on the list. In his article accompanying the ranking, author Frank Urbina praised Avdija’s multidimensional skills and potential.
It might be a little frustrating for Washington Wizards fans that once Deni Avdija finally broke out and looked like the player Washington wanted when they drafted him ninth overall in 2020, the team traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland fans should be thrilled with this news, as Avdija looks like a great modern wing, a tough two-way player as well as a good forward, three-point shooter, rebounder, and playmaker with some scoring chops. On a Portland team that is also fairly early in its rebuild, Avdija will have more opportunities to develop at his own pace in 2024-25, so don’t be surprised if his averages increase again next season.
The new Blazer is ranked just one spot behind Miami Heat forward Jaime Jacquez Jr. at No. 23 and one spot ahead of Golden State Warriors striker Andrew Wiggins at number 25.
According to SpotracAvdija signed a four-year, $55 million extension last season that expires after the 2027-28 season. Avdija is set to make about $15.63 million next season, but the salary decreases each year in a row, so he’s only set to make about $11.88 million in his final year.
You can read the full rankings on HoopsHype here.
