The Portland Trail Blazers have a rising star in Deni Avdija, and he’s putting together a season that demands attention-not just from fans, but from the front office. The numbers don’t lie: 26.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game on solid efficiency.
But it’s how he’s getting those numbers that tells the real story. Avdija leads the league in drives per game (20.3), passes off drives (10.0), and assists via drives (2.7).
That’s not just volume-it’s impact. He’s collapsing defenses, making the right reads, and creating opportunities.
The problem? The Blazers aren’t capitalizing on them.
Portland is dead last in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage. That’s a brutal stat for a team that ranks fourth in the league in three-point attempts per game.
The intent is there-they’re trying to space the floor and open up driving lanes-but the execution just hasn’t followed. And it’s not just about bad shot selection.
The Blazers rank 30th in catch-and-shoot three-point percentage, despite being eighth in attempts. Even worse, they’re 25th in percentage on wide open threes.
That’s the kind of inefficiency that can sabotage an entire offensive system.
This is where things get tricky. Avdija thrives when he can break down defenders, get into the paint, and kick the ball out to shooters.
But if those shooters aren’t converting, defenses don’t have to respect the perimeter. That clogs the lane, collapses spacing, and ultimately limits what Avdija-and the rest of Portland’s slashers-can do.
There are some encouraging internal signs. Shaedon Sharpe has been heating up, hitting 40.4% of his threes on nearly six attempts per game over his last 23 outings.
Toumani Camara is at 37.5% over his past 24 games. And Caleb Love has knocked down 39.3% over his last 15.
Those are positive trends, no doubt. But they’re not enough on their own-not yet.
The team’s best shooter, Jerami Grant, has barely been on the floor since mid-December, appearing in just two games since Dec. 19. Without him, the Blazers are even thinner when it comes to reliable perimeter threats.
This is where the trade deadline looms large. Portland has a chance to reshape its roster, not with a massive overhaul, but with targeted moves that bring in true floor spacers.
Shooters who can punish defenses for collapsing on Avdija. Shooters who can turn his drive-and-kick brilliance into points on the board.
Because right now, the Blazers are wasting elite creation with subpar finishing.
The urgency is real. Avdija is blossoming into an All-Star caliber player, and the Blazers can’t afford to let this moment slip away.
They’ve got the engine. Now they need to surround it with the right parts.
The trade market is open. The need is obvious.
If Portland wants to unlock the full potential of its offense-and of Avdija-it’s time to go get some shooters.