Deni Avdija's star ascension officially gives the Portland Trail Blazers one of the best contracts in the entire association. However, that's the issue: he's completely outplaying his contract!
Portland is set to pay a potential All-Star just $39.4 million over the next three seasons. They will have to proactively find a way to secure him as part of their long-term core before entering free agency, where the small-market Blazers typically haven't had much success.
One potential hurdle is Avdija's front-loaded contract. What initially appeared to be a positive could complicate extension talks, as the final year's salary is the figure teams use for extensions. Avdija is owed just $11.8 million in 2027-28, and the Blazers can offer 140% of that figure, amounting to an unrealistic offer of $16.5 million.
Trail Blazers must proactively lock down Deni Avdija
At this point, the best option is for Portland to clear cap space to increase his salary so they can extend off that higher figure. Clearing cap space to renegotiate Avdija's contract could potentially be challenging, thanks to the overpaid veterans Portland has on the roster in Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday, especially as they attempt to keep their remaining young core intact. Trading Grant would solve many of their financial problems, and is a relatively more likely pathway for them to pursue, largely thanks to his improved play this season.
Avdija is averaging a career-high 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 47/37/81 shooting splits this season, numbers he should be able to maintain or improve on as he gains more experience in this expanded point forward role. Portland must retain its best player by any means necessary, and can't run the risk of him entering free agency just entering his prime. The Blazers fleeced the Washington Wizards in the trade and must do everything they can to keep him around.
One downside of the timing of the deal is that Portland wasn't able to capitalize on his front-loaded contract by adding the necessary pieces to contend. Regardless, they still have a promising long-term outlook with Avdija leading the way, even with a massive new contract.
Teams are patiently waiting to see if the Blazers fumble this situation to steal a rising star, but Portland has plenty of time to prepare to make that extension feasible. One way or another, expect the Blazers to get ahead of this potentially disastrous scenario.