The Portland Trail Blazers executed a trade in the minutes before the 2024 NBA Draft, securing the services of Deni Avdija. While he’s yet to play a game for Portland, fans should be buoyed by the possibilities the former Washington Wizards lottery pick brings.
When the Blazers pulled off the deal, I wrote in furious favor, talking to Avdija’s versatility, measurements and his contract, which eventually descends below the Mid-Level Exception. At no point did I suggest him as anything other than a starter and a high-level role player.
But what if the 6’9 forward is more?