Deni Avdija was flat-out robbed of an All-NBA selection

The All-NBA teams were recently announced for the 2025-26 season. Portland Trail Blazers newest All-Star, Deni Avdija, was snubbed. Out of everyone not to make an All-NBA team, Avdija was the leading vote-getter, receiving one Second Team vote and 23 Third Team votes. Here were the results:

• First Team: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Cade Cunningham

• Second Team: Jaylen Brown, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell

• Third Team: Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Duren, Chet Holmgren

For the Third Team specifically, the edge seems to have controversially rewarded bigs on the first-place teams in their respective conferences, Jalen Duren and Chet Holmgren. That snubbed the likes of versatile wings Avdija and Scottie Barnes, who were arguably more valuable to their teams.

That's been on full display in the postseason, where Duren played himself out of a massive new contract while Holmgren has failed to step up as the secondary option with Jalen Williams sidelined.

Deni Avdija deserved an All-NBA Third Team selection

The fact that Avdija got this inexperienced, flawed, and injury-riddled Blazers roster to the playoffs was quite the impressive feat that deserved All-NBA recognition. Think about where Detroit would be with Duren, where OKC would be without Holmgren, and then where Portland would be with Avdija. From that perspective, Avdija's All-NBA case was much stronger than the media panel seemed to recognize.

He was legitimately one of the 15 most impactful players this season, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. That well-rounded game single-handedly kept the Blazers' season afloat, as Avdija embraced a more point-forward role to fill the void left by their depleted backcourt. He ranked in the top ten in potential assists, one of several ways Avdija kept Portland's offense alive despite its fatal flaws in key shooting and playmaking categories.

His lingering back injury may have prevented Avdija from receiving the All-NBA nod, as he wasn't quite the same elite-level player following the All-Star break. Had he sustained that level of play throughout the entirety of the season, the debate likely would have shifted to whether Avdija deserved All-NBA Second or Third Team. A selection in general would've been a no-brainer at that point.

Regardless, Portland's first playoff appearance in five years never would've happened had it not been for Avdija's star ascension -- the same can't be said for a few players on that list, whose ceilings were exposed in the postseason.

The silver lining for Portland is that Avdija proved in their short playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs that his physical, downhill style of play can still translate effectively to the postseason. In the scheme of things, the fact that the Blazers finally have that star they've been searching for throughout their entire rebuilding process is far more significant going forward than this selection. Still, it would've been nice to see Avdija rewarded for his breakout season and contribution to the Blazers' relative success.

With a fully healthy Avdija next season playing alongside what will hopefully be more floor spacing, he has a golden opportunity to take his game to yet another level next season, finally getting that All-NBA selection he deserves.

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