Deni Avdija could become the latest NBA All-Star to hit the market.
The Portland Trail Blazers are not setting themselves up to retain their star forward Avdija, Sam Quinn of CBS Sports reported this week during an appearance on the “Third Apron Podcast.” Quinn notes that the Blazers will need extra cap space to renegotiate and extend Avdija’s contract (which they are not currently positioned to have).
Avdija, 25, was a revelation last season for Portland. He quickly emerged as one of the league’s most efficient off-the-dribble scorers, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
Those numbers were good enough for the former lottery pick Avdija to earn NBA All-Star honors. The Blazers also managed to put together a winning season behind Avdija’s efforts and made their first playoff trip since 2021.
But Avdija is only signed for $13.1 million next season and $11.9 million in 2027-28 (thanks to an inexpensive frontloaded contract that he signed with the Washington Wizards in 2023). Because Avdija is capped at a 140 percent raise on a potential veteran extension, he will indeed need to renegotiate with the Blazers in order to be compensated according to his updated market value.
That said, Portland has been watching their costs under new owner Tom Dundon, whose penny-pinching ways have already sparked backlash around the league. If Dundon does not want to pony up for Avdija, the talented 6-foot-8 forward might potentially be in line to hit the free agent market in 2028.
