The Portland Trail Blazers still have to make a move to reach the roster minimum entering the 2025-26 season. But as currently constructed, it's clear the Blazers will be overly reliant on Deni Avdija as their offensive initiator.
Portland's offense was lackluster last season, ranking 22nd in both points per game (110.9) and offensive rating (111.0). Two issues that caused that were their lack of three-point shooting and playmaking, areas that will only worsen after swapping Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday.
In a sense, the offensive downgrade from that trade was a bet on their up-and-coming backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe to pick up the pieces. Both guards should have better seasons due to their internal improvements and increased roles, as Holiday has a significantly lower usage rate than Simons.
At the same time, it remains to be seen if Henderson or Sharpe are ready to carry that weight on a consistent basis.
Blazers fail to surround Deni Avdija with necessary offensive weapons
Given where the Blazers are in their rebuild as a team that is years away from contending, that's fine. But it's problematic under the context that Portland plays in a competitive Western Conference, has already missed the playoffs four consecutive years, and general manager Joe Cronin has expectations to end that drought this season. In fact, that's exactly why they went out and got a 35-year-old veteran like Holiday despite his contract and declining production.
It's clear they are fully leaning into their defensive-minded identity under Chauncey Billups, who has a championship to show for that formula with the Detroit Pistons. The Blazers were a top ten-ranked defense in 2025 and should continue to be that for the entirety of the 2025-26 season. A potential starting five of Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant, and Donovan Clingan provides a bit of everything required to be an elite defense.
But how is that group going to generate enough offense?
Avdija became more of a point-forward towards the end of last season and thrived in such a role due to his size, physicality, playmaking, and on-ball creation. However, this approach has glaring flaws if it's the Blazers' primary offensive strategy -- not because of Avdija himself, but because of the pieces surrounding him.
In order for Avdija to excel as a point-forward, Portland needs to surround him with shooters and secondary playmakers to alleviate some of the burden. This lineup accomplishes neither. You could alter the starting five with Henderson or Sharpe, as Portland has seven players they could legitimately start, but that sacrifices shooting for improved playmaking. The Blazers desperately need Henderson and Sharpe to become more reliable floor spacers; otherwise, this offensive formula is never going to work.
They found a gem by stealing Avdija from the Wizards. However, the next step in their rebuilding phase should be to surround Avdija with the necessary pieces to utilize him fully. Rather than addressing these concerns this offseason, the Blazers have somehow taken a step backward.