The Portland Trail Blazers might be sitting in the middle of a rebuild, but don’t tell Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe that. The young duo just turned in one of the most impressive weeks of the season, earning themselves nominations for the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week for December 15-21.
Let’s start with Avdija, who looked every bit like a go-to option. In just two games-both tight wins over the Sacramento Kings-he averaged 29.5 points on 48.6% shooting, along with 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and a steal per game.
That’s not just a solid week-that’s a statement. The former lottery pick showed poise, control, and a level of offensive versatility that suggests his development is ahead of schedule.
Whether he was attacking off the dribble, finding teammates out of the pick-and-roll, or hitting timely buckets, Avdija was at the center of everything Portland did.
Right alongside him was Sharpe, who continues to flash the kind of upside that has Blazers fans excited about the future. He poured in 24.5 points per game on an ultra-efficient 51.2% from the field and a scorching 60% from beyond the arc.
Add in 4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest, and you’ve got a young guard who’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently and within the flow of the offense. Sharpe’s athleticism and shot-making were on full display, and his confidence continues to grow with each game.
Now, it wasn’t a perfect week. Turnovers were the one blemish in otherwise stellar performances.
Avdija averaged 5 giveaways per game, while Sharpe committed 4.5. For young players taking on more responsibility, that’s not entirely unexpected-but it’s something to monitor as both continue to evolve as primary ball handlers.
Ultimately, the Player of the Week award went to Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a strong case of his own. Jackson averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game while leading the Grizzlies to a 2-1 record. Over in the East, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson earned the honor by putting up 31.3 points, 8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game, also going 2-1.
Still, the Blazers’ presence in the nominations speaks volumes. Avdija and Sharpe weren’t the only ones recognized-other Western Conference nominees included Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards from the Timberwolves, Keyonte George of the Jazz, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Thunder, and Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic.
On the Eastern side, the field featured Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Chicago’s Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic, Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel, Tyrese Maxey of the Sixers, and Boston’s Derrick White.
But for Portland, this week was about more than just recognition. It was a glimpse into what the future could look like if Avdija and Sharpe continue on this trajectory. The Blazers may not be making playoff noise this season, but their young core is starting to find its voice-and that’s worth paying attention to.