Deni Avdija's Contract Brings Uncertainty to Blazers

After a breakout All-Star campaign, Deni Avdija has become the cornerstone of the Portland Trail Blazers with two years remaining on his contract.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija warms up before game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

The Portland Trail Blazers enter the offseason at a crossroads.

Following a breakout campaign where Deni Avdija earned his first All-Star selection and established himself as a cornerstone for the Blazers, the small forward has earned a potential contract extension.

While Avdija is under contract for two more seasons, the CBA rules and his skyrocketing market value make an extension discussion both urgent and complicated.

The Contract Context

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija reacts after being fouled and scoring a basket. | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Avdija is currently playing on one of the most team-friendly deals in the NBA. He signed a four-year, $55 million rookie scale extension with the Washington Wizards in 2023, which the Blazers inherited.

• 2026-27 Salary: $13.1 million
• 2027-28 Salary: $11.8 million
• Status: Unrestricted Free Agent in 2028

Avdija averaged 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists this past season. On the open market, an All-Star wing with those numbers would command a starting salary north of $35-40 million. Portland effectively has him at a 60-70 percent discount for the next two years.

Extension Eligibility: The "Two-Year" Rule

Under the current CBA, veteran extensions generally cannot be signed until the two-year anniversary of the previous contract signing or extension.

• Avdija signed his current extension on October 21, 2023.
• Avdija becomes eligible to sign a new extension starting October 21, 2025.
• This means the Blazers cannot legally sign him to an extension during the primary 2026 free agency window. However, they can engage in conversations once that October 21 threshold hits.

Why the Blazers Should (and Shouldn't) Move Now

The Case for an Extension

• With the salary cap projected to rise 10 percent annually due to new media rights deals, a max contract today will look like a bargain in three years. Locking him in now prevents a bidding war in 2028.
• Rewarding Avdija after an All-Star season signals to the locker room and potential free agents that Portland takes care of its core players.

If Portland enters the 2026-27 season with significant room under the cap, they could use that space to bump Avdija’s 2026 salary and then tack on additional years at a higher rate. This allows Avdija to get more money immediately while the team secures long-term control.

The Risks of Waiting

• Portland is managing a roster with several rookie-scale players, including Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan and veteran deals like Jerami Grant and Damian Lillard. Extending Avdija early might limit their ability to use cap space in the 2027 offseason.
• If "Turbo" continues his trajectory, he may prefer to wait for 2028 free agency to sign a 5-year max deal worth significantly more than what an extension can offer today.

The Bottom Line

Expect the Blazers to prioritize an Avdija extension as soon as the October 2026 window opens. As the franchise cornerstone, it would be wise for the Blazers to invest in him for the long haul.

While fans may have to wait past the initial July frenzy for news, the internal pressure to secure a long-term deal will be the defining storyline of Portland's 2026 calendar year.