The Portland Trail Blazers helped Deni Avdija breakout this season, but the improved play puts the franchise in a difficult spot to extend his contract. The 24-year-old is on a descending deal through the 2027-28 season where he makes just $11.8 million in the final year. That is the number used for extensions, so Portland is only able to offer 140 percent or $16.6 million in the first year of a new contract. Avdija isn’t taking that.
Many questioned the trade before Avdija’s incredible first season in Portland. Over his final 34 games, the 6’9 forward averaged 20.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.0 steal, while shooting over 49 percent from the field and 37.4 percent on his 3-point tries. The Blazers fleeced the Wizards in this deal. Avdija is an unquestioned building block and Portland is wondering if he can become an All-Star.
The Blazers have one of the best contracts in the NBA for the next two seasons, but they will have to try to create cap space to renegotiate and extend his contract in 2027. That is Portland’s only path to locking him up long-term before Avdija reaches free agency.
Deni Avdija is totally outplaying his contract
The Grizzlies currently face a similar situation with Jaren Jackson Jr., which was a massive reason behind dumping Marcus Smart’s contract before the deadline. Teams need cap space to raise the player’s salary enough to extend off of it.
Portland has a nearly clean cap sheet in 2027 and will have to save the space to give Deni a significant raise, especially if he continues dropping 20 points per game efficiently. He would reach unrestricted free agency at 27 years old. Some team will certainly offer a monster contract for a 6’9 forward just entering his prime. Portland cannot let him get there, but the planning must start now to make an extension possible.
Over the next two years, the Blazers have to take advantage of the surplus value. They have a $30-plus million player making less than half of that. Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan gives Portland three building blocks on value contracts. They must find a way to build out their roster and jump into contention before all three players get significant raises.
The Portland Trail Blazers have much to sort out. Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, Robert Williams III, and Matisse Thybulle are on expiring contracts. The front office decide who stays long-term. They need to see if they can find a taker for Jerami Grant’s contract and start building out their roster around the young talent. The Blazers are closer than it seems to contention but must add the rest of the pieces to complete the puzzle.
Trading for Deni Avdija was a genius move by the Blazers. They must find a way to keep him long-term, which means saving significant cap space in 2027. It is all about planning and making it happen. Expect Portland to be on the ball.