Blazers Forward Deni Avdija Addresses Long-Term Future in Portland

During his first season with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2024-25, 25-year-old combo forward Deni Avdija made quite a splash.

In 72 healthy contests (54 starts), the 6-foot-9 forward averaged a career-high 16.9 points on .476/.365/.780 shooting splits, plus 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.

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He emerged as a perpetual triple-double threat down the season's home stretch, as Avdija and All-Defensive forward Toumani Camara finally, definitively lapped veteran former starter Jerami Grant, then on a $29.8 million contract.

In a new conversation with Efrat Amourban of Ynet, Avdija addressed his long-term deal with the team.

Avdija is in the second season of a suddenly below-market four-year, $55 million deal he initially signed with the Washington Wizards, who had drafted him with the No. 9 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

"I see my future with a team that believes in me, that gives me the reins, that loves me and wants me to succeed," Avdija offered diplomatically when asked about if he saw himself as a long-term Trail Blazers. "Right now, that team is called Portland."

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When asked whether he felt that he was good enough for the Trail Blazers to begin building around him, Avdija had a similarly tempered response.

"I've proven to myself that I have the qualities to be a player who is seen as very dominant on the roster. I won't say that I'm God and that they should build around me, but I feel that the team is very considerate of my presence," Avdija said.

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For more news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.