Denny Avdija Declares Near-Full Health Ahead of Trail Blazers' Season Opener

Israeli forward Denny Avdija has officially begun preparations for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers, reporting to training camp in excellent health. Avdija, who missed summer games for the Israeli national team due to persistent back pain, stated at Media Day that he feels "99.9% healthy" after undergoing extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Team leader Damian Lillard revealed that the projected starting lineup includes himself, De'Aaron Fox, and Avdija. Lillard praised Avdija's playmaking abilities, expressing confidence in passing to him. "If I get the ball and pass it to De'Aaron Fox, I feel pretty good about that, and if I pass the ball to Denny Avdija, I feel good about that," Lillard said. "When they attack the basket and kick the ball out to me for a three, they should feel great about that."

New head coach Chauncey Billups emphasized Avdija's role as a point-forward but stressed the need for improvement on the defensive end. "We have ways to deal with smaller lineups, and of course, we'll get Denny to start guarding here in the West like he guarded in the East when he was in Washington," Billups stated, adding, "He's an excellent defender when he wants to be."

While Avdija's individual statistics might see a slight decrease with the addition of Lillard and Fox, analysts anticipate this shift will lead to more efficient scoring opportunities and a return to his role as a two-way player capable of locking down opposing wing players. The team has set ambitious goals for the season, aiming for at least 50 wins, securing home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, and maintaining consistency throughout the 82-game schedule.