Deni Avdija Projected Among NBA's Top Scorers by Bleacher Report
Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija has received significant recognition in the United States ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Bleacher Report has projected Avdija as one of the top ten leading scorers in the upcoming season, ranking him ninth overall. This places him ahead of established stars like Donovan Mitchell and among elite players such as Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić.
Bleacher Report highlighted Avdija's development last season, noting his ability to become a primary shot creator and offensive option for the Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 24.1 points per game, showcasing an aggressive driving game and effective use of his physical strength to draw fouls. The report emphasized that Avdija earned his first All-Star selection and set a career-high with 6.7 assists per game, suggesting the Trail Blazers should increase their reliance on him.
The projection becomes even more optimistic when considering Avdija's three-point shooting. While he shot 31.8% last season, Bleacher Report anticipates a return to his 2023-24 form of 37.4%, which would make him even harder to defend. The report suggests that defenses giving him space to drive could be punished by his improved outside shooting.
Most notably, Bleacher Report stated that Avdija, entering what are considered his prime years, has a "floor of 25 points per game" for the upcoming season. This indicates that a 25-point average is considered his baseline, not his ceiling, for the 2026-27 season.
