Sports Illustrated Urges Trail Blazers to Center Offense Around Deni Avdija
A month before the 2026-27 NBA season begins, Sports Illustrated has published an extensive feature on Israeli forward Deni Avdija and how the Portland Trail Blazers should utilize him. Despite a busy offseason for the team, which included the return of Damian Lillard and the acquisition of De'Aaron Fox, and questions surrounding players like Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons, Avdija has been somewhat overlooked. This, the article argues, is a mistake Portland should not make.
Sports Illustrated contends that even with Lillard and Fox on the roster, the Trail Blazers' top priority should be maximizing Avdija's potential and keeping him at the center of their offense. The 25-year-old Israeli is described as the "safest long-term bet" due to his age, durability, and proven high-level performance. Last season, Avdija became one of only three NBA players to average at least 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, joining Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić.
The publication suggests Avdija is not just the star Portland hoped for after Lillard's departure, but a player better suited for modern basketball. He is characterized as a tall, long forward capable of running an offense, creating his own shot, and finding teammates when defenses collapse on him. His statistics from the past season support this, with a usage rate of 30.9%, the highest among forwards in the league, and less than half his baskets assisted, indicating strong self-creation abilities.
Avdija's playmaking also saw a significant jump, with his assist percentage rising to a career-high 31.5%, a 12% increase from the previous season. This placed him in the 96th percentile among forwards, and his assist-to-usage ratio ranked him in the 94th percentile for his position. Notably, the article points out that Lillard himself has only recorded a higher assist percentage once in his career.
However, the article identifies three-point shooting as a clear area for improvement, as Avdija shot just 31.8% from deep on six attempts per game last season. Sports Illustrated suggests that better shot selection, increased use of corner threes, and more favorable situations created by Fox could help him improve these numbers. The main conclusion is that if Portland keeps Avdija central to their strategy and allows him to maintain his significant role alongside their two star guards, he could reach another level.
