Deni Avdija already possesses a well-rounded skill set as a playmaker and perimeter defender. Combine that with his high motor and vastly improving offensive game, and the Trail Blazers wing is blossoming into a malleable two-way connector. Yet, he's ostensibly still adding to an already impressive repertoire, establishing himself as an intriguing talent who impacts winning in various ways.
- Lior Lampert
FanSided Staff Writer
Avdija doesn’t have jump-out-the-gym athleticism or agility, but he's a solid stopper at the point of attack, specifically on the outside. His size, toughness and knack for reading and reacting to passing lanes have made him a savvy team defender. The 2020 No. 9 overall pick is a chess piece that can switch onto multiple positions in a blink. But where he's grown the most is offensively, becoming a primary scoring option for the young, scrappy, upstart Blazers squad.
As a reliable ball-handler and proficient passer with spectacular court vision, Avdija sets himself apart from many players of his stature. He reads the floor well and constantly keeps the ball moving, whether in the half-court or transition. His high basketball IQ propels him to create for others or himself as a cutter with a sensational feel for the game. “Turbo” has ostensibly addressed his biggest weakness: Consistent three-point shooting. Between our penultimate and latest NBA99 updates, he's converted from beyond the arc at a 43.1 percent clip on 6.4 nightly attempts. During that span, the 24-year-old has averaged 24.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals per contest, thriving as an on-ball creator for Portland.