Grading Deni Avdija's Blazers debut: Major role concern emerges in blowout loss

The Portland Trail Blazers were without three key players in their 2024-25 season opener: Shaedon Sharpe, Matisse Thybulle, and Robert Williams III. While they would have helped, they still wouldn't have affected the outcome, as the Golden State Warriors obliterated the Blazers with a final score of 139-104.

Head coach Chauncey Billups elected to go with Toumani Camara in the starting lineup over Scoot Henderson; this provided them with another lengthy, versatile wing, playing to the Blazers' advantage they had over the Warriors in this particular matchup, which was their size. Camara started the game on Stephen Curry, keeping him relatively in check to a final stat line of 17 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds (although he also had some uncharacteristic open misses).

Deni Avdija's offensive versatility was a huge reason the Blazers were able to put Camara on Curry to start. He served as the secondary ballhandler and playmaker to complement Anfernee Simons in the backcourt. Avdija finished with a respectable stat line of 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

Is Deni Avdija being asked to take on too much as a role player?

However, the main complaint regarding Avdija's debut was his four turnovers. He tried to force the issue too much on offense, threading the needle for unnecessarily risky passes. Part of that has to do with the Blazers' new team identity, which Billups is trying to implement as a team that wants to get out and run.

It was a much faster-paced game than the final score reflected, at least on the Blazers' end. This style should play to Avdija's strengths in the future. He averages 1.142 points per transition play, which is second highest on the Blazers' roster behind only Grant's 1.151.

Still, it is evident that Avdija still needs more time to adjust to his new teammates in terms of anticipating where they will be, which is reflected in his turnovers. If the Blazers stick with Camara in the starting lineup in the future, Avdija's decision-making will have to improve. At times, he made the right, quick reads to keep the ball moving. But he needs to play more within the flow of the game, which could also be attributed to trying to prove too much in his first game in Portland.

It could also mean that Avdija is more of an elite role player or "glue guy" as a fourth or fifth piece on a playoff team, not the go-to player the Blazers are asking him to be on this roster.

Besides the massive three-point shooting discrepancy, that was a main issue with the Blazers' roster that was a key difference in their 35-point loss. As deep as Portland's roster is, they have a starting lineup consisting of elite role players, like Avdija and Jerami Grant, who are asked to be their go-to options.

Three-point differential led to Blazers' blowout loss

One question surrounding Avdija's game that had Blazers fans curious was whether his improved three-point shooting is here to stay. He's a career 32.7 percent three-point shooter but took a significant leap last season with the Wizards, knocking down 37.4 percent of his 3.1 attempts.

Avdija wasn't impactful as a three-point shooter in this contest, missing all three of his attempts. That made it especially difficult for the Blazers to defeat such a lethal three-point shooting team like the Warriors since Avdija was essentially their starting shooting guard on offense. They lost the three-point shooting battle 41.7 percent (20 of 48) to 23.5 percent (eight of 34).

Avdija's versatility was on full display

There were many aspects of Avdija's game that looked to be as advertised and why the Blazers gave up significant assets to get him from the Wizards this offseason. His two-way versatility was on full display. Defensively, he effectively switched onto the Warriors' quicker guards and provided defense in the form of two steals and two blocks.

Offensively, he was great at finishing through contact, particularly on fast breaks. He also looked comfortable in post-up situations, which should be a consistent part of his offensive repertoire this season.

His turnovers and lack of threes prevent this from being a higher grade, but it was a decent outing from the Blazers' newest wing. We would have liked to see more from Avdija in his anticipated Blazers' debut, but he wasn't the reason for their blowout loss.

Grade: C+