Deni Avdija is preparing for his sixth NBA season and second with the Portland Trail Blazers, entering the 2025–26 campaign with optimism after a busy summer for both him and the team.
Portland added veteran guard Jrue Holiday and brought back franchise icon Damian Lillard, who is recovering from a torn Achilles. For Avdija, those moves represent an important step in building a competitive roster.
“I want to give this city a championship as much as he does,” Avdija said of Lillard during media day. “So, I can’t wait to work with him on the court.”
Before shifting his attention fully to the Blazers, Avdija represented Israel at EuroBasket 2025, an experience he believes sharpened his skills under pressure.
“I’ve been in stressful situations, kind of like a win-or-go-home type of tournament,” he explained. “So, I feel like performing under pressure, taking care of the ball, and just creating off the dribble, going left.”
The 24-year-old forward enters the season coming off a career-best campaign, posting averages of 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. His focus now is on sustaining that progress and embracing a leadership role.
“My role on this team is to continue where I left off, being vocal with everyone, being a leader, helping everybody be in the best positions possible, and maximizing the team’s potential,” he said. “Just compete. Do what I do. Set the tone offensively, defensively.”
Avdija stressed that he views himself as a work in progress, determined to improve without rushing the process.
“I don’t think I’m a finished product yet. I do want to add a lot of stuff to my game, but I’m doing it with a lot of patience,” he said. “I think the next step for me is to take care of the ball a little bit better. Control the game better. Slow down sometimes when I need to. Other than that, I think I am on a good path.”
His teammate Toumani Camara echoed the sense of optimism about Portland’s potential, highlighting the team’s defensive versatility with the addition of Holiday and the development of young center Yang Hansen.
“I think the sky is the limit, really,” said Camara, who made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last year. “We have so many tools that we can use in different ways, so many different lineups that we can do to mess teams up. So, I’m very excited we can do that on the floor, for sure. Everybody has the energy, and everybody wants to play defense.”
Lillard, meanwhile, may not suit up this season as he recovers from his Achilles injury, but his presence around the team has already left an impression on Avdija.
“I’ve seen Dame here and there. More in the weight room. He’s not really practicing. But I had a little bit of conversation with him. Great dude,” Avdija said. “I’m happy he’s back in Portland. I know how much this team and this city mean to him.”
With his own growth, the support of veteran teammates, and the city’s hopes on their shoulders, Avdija and the Blazers are determined to push forward.
Or as he put it: “The sky is the limit.”
Deni Avdija discusses how #EuroBasket can help him with the Blazers
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 30, 2025
➕ His role, further improvements, and Damian Lillard
“I know how much this team and this city mean to him. I want to give this city a championship as much as he does”https://t.co/5iMAPckvK2
