With the Portland Trail Blazers on the brink of elimination, it might be time for them to think of how to improve the roster this summer. One thing they must do is put Deni Avdija in the lab and help him expand his offensive bag. The San Antonio Spurs have brutally exposed how to capitalize on his limitations, particularly his lack of a left hand.
So, does that mean the Blazers should continue building the roster around Avdija? There's barely any reason not to, even if he has yet to prove capable of being the go-to guy for a serious playoff contender.
The Blazers could have opportunities to explore adding a superstar in the offseason. But let's face it. Bringing in one is easier said than done. It can be a logistical nightmare, as trading for a big-ticket name usually requires giving up a ton of assets. That would be quite a risky move.
Still, regardless of whether Portland begins the 2026-27 regular season with Avdija as the top cat on the roster or as a sidekick to a superstar, he should look to level up his game.
Spurs' defensive masterclass has been frustrating for Deni
To be fair to the 2026 All-Star, he has generally been solid in his first playoff run so far. However, the Blazers have definitely needed more out of him, as his average of 22.3 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting hasn't cut it.
Sure, he has been able to attack the basket and get to his sweet spot — the free-throw line. He has made 36 trips to the charity stripe in the first four contests of the series. But when the Spurs' defense tightens up, Avdija has been unable to impose his will on offense.
A major reason is that San Antonio knows the star forward isn't as adept at driving with his left hand as he is with his right. And when the Spurs funnel him to the left, the game becomes that much easier for the West's No. 2 seed.
Deni's evolution will be key for Rip City
Looking at the big picture, the Blazers should still be thrilled about overachieving and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Despite having stolen just one win (for now) and losing by double-digits in the other matches, the series against the Spurs should provide them with much-needed lessons as they attempt to become A-listers again in the near future.
As for Avdija, hopefully, he has come to the realization that developing a deeper bag on offense could help him solve the defensive riddles his opponents will throw at him. He can flip the script and keep strong defenses at bay by working on his dribbling with his left hand. That way, he can maximize his bread-and-butter inside the paint and in drawing fouls.
But of course, it will also be better for the Blazers if Avdija's repertoire features more than just barreling into the restricted area on most possessions. Maybe he can look to take more shots from beyond the arc (he has sunk 42.9 percent from three in the Blazers-Spurs series) or even develop an efficient pull-up midrange game.
Whatever the case, what's important is that Deni doesn't fall into the trap of being content with his current skill set.
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