The Portland Trail Blazers made quite the splash at All-Star Weekend, turning heads with the emergence of Deni Avdija as their newest All-Star. This development is particularly intriguing given the team's recent history, especially after the departure of Damian Lillard in 2023. While Lillard has since returned on a favorable deal, the team can't lean on him as heavily due to his age and recovery from an Achilles injury.
Enter Deni Avdija, whose All-Star status is not only a testament to his growth but also a strategic win for the Blazers. He's on a frontloaded contract that pays $14.4 million this season, dropping to $11.9 million by 2027-28. In a league where top-tier All-Stars can command upwards of $50 million annually, Avdija’s deal is a masterstroke for Portland.
This contract is a key asset in Portland's rebuilding efforts. While they may not boast the superstar power of teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs, having Avdija locked in on such a favorable deal gives them a competitive edge. Securing an All-Star for just two first-round picks was a coup, and it’s a move that the Washington Wizards might regret, regardless of their public stance.
Of course, Avdija's performance means that Portland will eventually need to revisit his contract. But that's a future challenge, and one that most teams would welcome. The combination of Avdija’s team-friendly deal and the Blazers' rookie-scale contracts places them in a prime position for a successful rebuild.
This financial flexibility allowed Portland to retain Jerami Grant’s hefty salary without sacrificing valuable assets. More impressively, it facilitated the trade of Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, bringing in a star guard without dipping into their draft capital. Avdija’s contract likely gave the Blazers the confidence to absorb Holiday’s contract, knowing they had a cornerstone player secured.
While the Blazers are not yet title contenders, the impact of Avdija’s contract on their roster and rebuild is undeniable. His first All-Star appearance underscores his pivotal role in accelerating Portland's progress, and his contract is a significant, if sometimes overlooked, factor in their resurgence.