Deni Avdija Projected as Portland Trail Blazers’ Primary Offensive Option for 2026/27 Season

Ahead of the 2026/27 NBA season starting in October, Deni Avdija has been identified by U.S. analysts as the leading offensive option for the Portland Trail Blazers, despite the expected return of Damian Lillard and the arrival of Ja Morant. A Sports Illustrated analysis ranked the Blazers’ top three offensive players with Avdija placed first, followed by Lillard and Morant. The report emphasized that Avdija, the Israeli forward, should remain the central offensive figure for the team.

Avdija is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 24.2 points and 6.7 assists per game, a significant improvement that earned him his first NBA All-Star selection. He was the leading scorer for a playoff team, highlighting his high potential. At just 25 years old, Avdija still has room to grow, particularly by improving his three-point shooting, which stood at 31.8% last season. The analysis suggests that balancing his role alongside two dominant ball-handlers like Lillard and Morant could propel his career to new heights.

Ja Morant, ranked second, is expected to start training camp healthy after recovering from prolonged wrist and elbow injuries. Morant, a two-time All-Star, has played only 79 games in the last three seasons due to injuries but is seen as a key playmaker who will manage the offense and use his ability to drive to the basket to benefit the team.

Damian Lillard, ranked third, is returning fully recovered from an Achilles tendon tear. With less pressure to be the primary scorer every night, Lillard is expected to help the Blazers push back into playoff contention while sharing offensive responsibilities with Avdija and Morant.