Portland Trail Blazers GM Optimistic About Extending Deni Avdija's Contract

Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin expressed optimism regarding the potential contract extension for Israeli forward Deni Avdija. Speaking at media day ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season, Cronin stated that the team is actively working on Avdija's contract, acknowledging its complexity but assuring that he is not worried about reaching an agreement.

Cronin explained that Avdija's current contract situation is intricate and that negotiations for an extension can begin on October 2nd. He emphasized the team's goal to structure a deal that satisfies both Avdija's needs and the team's requirements, particularly concerning the salary cap. He drew a parallel to the situation with teammate Scoot Henderson, indicating confidence in the team's ability to finalize an extension within the next one to two years.

Earlier, Cronin addressed the acquisition of player De'Aaron Fox, revealing he had spoken with key backcourt players, including Avdija, to ensure alignment. He stressed the importance of building a talented team that learns to play together, requiring sacrifices from individual players to achieve success. Cronin highlighted the team's desire to maximize its overall quality and become a winning unit.

Avdija is set to earn $13.125 million in the upcoming season and is projected to receive $11.875 million in 2027-2028. His current contract allows for an extension of up to 140%, which would still likely place him below his true market value. Last season, Avdija averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, with an impressive 7.4 successful free throws out of 9.2 attempts, one of the highest rates in the NBA.