Portland Trail Blazers Rely on Healthy Deni Avdija for Playoff Hopes
Concerns are mounting for the Portland Trail Blazers regarding the lingering effects of Israeli player Deni Avdija's back injury, which sidelined him from the Israeli national team this summer. A report on the fan site "Rip City Project" suggests the injury, particularly affecting his lower back, may have impacted his performance late last season. While Avdija had a breakout year, becoming Portland's first All-Star since Damian Lillard, his three-point shooting percentage dropped significantly after the All-Star break, from 34.6% to 23.5%. The site attributes this decline to the back issue hindering his jumping ability, though he maintained effectiveness by drawing fouls.
The concern is amplified because three-point shooting has been a weakness for the Trail Blazers for several seasons, making Avdija's potential decline in this area particularly problematic. Avdija himself described the injury as "complex" on Instagram, explaining that Portland's reluctance to risk his health, rather than his own choice, prevented him from playing for Israel. Trail Blazers reporter Sean Highkin noted that while the team's caution isn't necessarily a dire warning, it does leave open the possibility of ongoing back issues.
"Rip City Project" questioned if a fully healthy Avdija could have made a difference in their first-round playoff loss to San Antonio. The site emphasizes that Portland desperately needs the pre-injury version of Avdija for the upcoming season if they aim for a playoff run. Despite these health concerns, Avdija's standing as a cornerstone for the team's future is strengthening. Sports Illustrated ranked his current contract as potentially the best non-rookie deal in the league, with his $13.1 million salary for the upcoming season representing only 8% of Portland's salary cap and making him the eighth-highest-paid player on the team.
Sports Illustrated highlighted that Avdija's salary is significantly below his market value, even less than some rookies. They suggest the Trail Blazers will eventually need to offer him a substantial contract, but for now, they are benefiting from paying a bargain price for a foundational player. The equation for Portland is clear: a healthy Avdija is a major asset, but his back remains a significant unknown that the team cannot afford to ignore.
