One thing was on the mind of Deni Avdija when questioned at the Blazers’ 2025 Media Day: progress.
After a meteoric rise to finish off the 2024-25 campaign, Avdija spent the summer playing with the Israeli national team in Eurobasket. Although that team fell to the eventual third-place Greek team, Avdija spent that time facing off against NBA talent at the highest level.
During that stretch, Avdija flashed the same kind of positional versatility that he has come to be known for, as well as his downhill “all gas no brakes” approach to the game. When the 2025-26 season begins, Avdija acknowledges he still has some work to do in that department.
"I have a lot I want to add to my game. I don't think I'm a finished product yet,” Avdija said.”The next step for me is to take care of the ball a little bit better, slow down sometimes.”
An evolved Deni Avdija makes Portland's trade even better
In Euroleague competition, Avdija’s stats closely mirrored his NBA output, but one number among them was glaring: he averaged over three turnovers per game despite playing just 24 minutes.
Some of these can be attributed to the distinct playstyle differences between the NBA and Euroleague; though Eurobasket’s pace has increased in recent contests, it’s still a much more deliberate game. While Nikola Jokic continues to dominate the NBA, it’s due in part to his ability to process the game one step quicker than his opponents in a fast-paced game. Jokic, by contrast, put up some relatively meager numbers in Eurobasket.
Deni performs admirably in a situation that’s essentially built around his playstyle. His nickname—Turbo—is a testament to how he plays with speed and strength prized over nuance. By his own admission, a dedication to varying his speed without telegraphing his next move is the skill he needs to become the best version of himself. Opposing teams can help nullify this skill just by getting back on defense immediately.
Scoot Henderson’s hamstring injury has already been assessed with a 4–8 week recovery timeline, though Chauncey Billups extended that frame to 10 weeks in the Media Day presser. On a Blazers roster with no point guard depth beyond a 35-year-old Jrue Holiday, Avdija’s playmaking ability will be crucial to the team until Scoot is ready to take the floor.
Avdija’s last season was also his worst from a turnover perspective, averaging 2.7 per contest and 3.3 per 36 minutes; if he is to step up into a primary ballhandler position, he must work to keep those to a minimum.
Coach Billups stressed that the Blazers’ new offensive scheme will feature much more movement and cutting in the halfcourt and a faster, more uptempo transition game that speaks to the strengths of the current rotational squad. Training camp begins on September 30, where Portland will seek to enshrine a reworked offensive system.