Portland Trail Blazers Prioritize Extending Deni Avdija’s Contract Amid Roster Changes

The Portland Trail Blazers are focusing heavily on securing a contract extension for Israeli forward Deni Avdija, according to an analysis by the Rip City Project blog. Avdija is currently signed for two more seasons under one of the NBA’s most cost-effective deals, worth approximately $25 million total. The blog described his contract as "one of the best deals in the league for an All-Star level player," but suggested it is unlikely Avdija will complete the full term without negotiating a new contract.

Portland aims to build its long-term core around Avdija, but NBA salary cap rules complicate the extension process. The team must first renegotiate his current contract before offering an extension capped at a 140% salary increase in his final season, making the deal challenging. This urgency intensified after Portland acquired Ja Morant from Memphis in a major trade. Although the Blazers offloaded Jeremy Grant’s hefty contract, Morant’s salary replaced it, leaving little financial flexibility.

The Rip City Project noted that the Morant trade was intended to boost the team’s competitive ceiling rather than create cap space for Avdija’s extension. Therefore, Portland may need to execute another trade to secure Avdija’s future. Morant’s arrival also crowded the backcourt, which now includes guards Jrue Holiday, Scottie Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe competing for playing time.

While the Blazers have communicated they are not actively seeking to trade Holiday and value his versatility, they remain open to attractive offers. Henderson and Sharpe could also be trade assets, but Holiday’s contract makes him the most likely candidate to be moved if the team needs salary cap relief. Portland is not rushing decisions and may start the 2026/27 season with all four guards before deciding on roster adjustments at the February trade deadline.

Overall, the Rip City Project concludes that despite the roster shakeup, extending Avdija’s contract remains Portland’s top priority to ensure the Israeli forward stays central to the franchise’s future plans.