Deni Avdija tests free agency in 2028
The Blazers just traded significant assets—Malcolm Brogdon, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft (Bub Carrington), a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks—to acquire Deni Avdija from the Wizards. Given their investment and the fact that Avdija is still only 23 years old and fits into their rebuilding timeline, it would be surprising if he's moved before the end of his contract, which expires at the end of the 2027-28 season.
Another factor to consider is his extremely team-friendly contract. Deni is on the books for $15.6 million next season, barely more than bench players like RW3 and Matisse Thybulle. Even better for the Blazers, his contract is front-loaded, decreasing to $11.9 million by his last season.
The Blazers have an extremely uncertain future regarding their roster in the next few years. They have stockpiled assets and eventually need to enter the next phase of their rebuilding process of figuring out how each player meshes together. But one great thing about Avdija's game is his versatility, which allows him to adapt and fit into any roster the Blazers put together in the future.
However, if the Blazers can't assemble a team capable of making a deep playoff run by the time his contract expires in 2028, Avdija may be inclined to test free agency. After all, the only teams he's been on so far in his career have been the rebuilding Wizards and Blazers; it would be hard to blame him for wanting to win at that point if the Blazers fall short in their rebuilding efforts.