The Portland Trail Blazers' first-round playoff exit at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs proved that this team can't rely on Deni Avdija as its go-to option if it wants to become a genuine contender. However, that doesn't diminish the incredible breakout season Avdija had in Portland.
This Blazers rebuild desperately needed a star to guide them, and it turns out they found that piece via trade rather than through the draft. Their front office has taken a somewhat unconventional rebuild approach, but overall, this team continues to justify it by exceeding expectations.
Portland entered the season with a projected win total of 33.5. They lost their head coach just one game into the season and were among the most injury-riddled teams in the league. Still, the Blazers overcame all that adversity, finishing above .500 and returning to the postseason for the first time in five years.
Deni Avdija's All-Star leap turned Blazers' rebuild around
There was unexpected turbulence along the way, sometimes even frustrating. But if you were to tell fans at the start of the season that the Blazers would have their first All-Star since Damian Lillard and get back into the playoff picture, they'd be thrilled with that result.
Part of the polarizing nature of Portland's playoff push stems from the lottery-protected first-round pick that was finally conveyed to the Chicago Bulls. The Blazers are currently the only team without a single pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which is bad timing given how much draft analysts have been hyping these prospects beyond the headliners.
But there are silver linings to the Blazers making the playoffs that can be easily overlooked when you view it on the surface as a predictable first-round playoff exit. As fans, we often forget that this isn't NBA2K when it comes to roster construction. There's underrated value in creating a winning culture, establishing good habits, and gradually building with a young core. This team has shown consistent progress year after year, and Avdija's ascension is a major reason.
Hopefully, the Blazers can find a way to make Avdija a secondary option in the coming seasons, elevating their ceiling and allowing them to truly compete with teams like San Antonio and Oklahoma City. This offseason presents a golden opportunity to do so, as they are loaded with draft capital and young assets.
But with their newest All-Star just entering his prime at 25 years old, Portland knows they also aren't in any need to force the issue if the right trade doesn't come along. They already made one star trade that was incredible value, and still have time to reap the rewards.
Many seem to forget that Avdija was dealing with a lingering back injury post-All-Star break. He was noticeably not the same player, and even discussed how much he had to adjust his game at his exit interview. When that explosiveness and lift on his three-point shot come back, it's reasonable to expect Avdija to continue building off his All-Star season. He should be in the All-Star conversation for years to come.
For Portland, that should make this transitional season a major win.
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