Deni Avdija does not regret his “small” contract
In the family of “most profitable players” we ask… Danny Avdia. In 2023 he re-signed with the Wizards for $55 million more than four years and, at the time, he was just a replacement in a struggling franchise.
We are obviously far from that Warriors heistwhen Stephen Curry “only” got $10 to $12 million a year between 2014 and 2017, but when we see change of status The Israeli, who is headed for the All-Star Game in 2026, leaders Blazers they are already starting to rub their hands together.
Because, in addition to receiving less than 15 million dollars per year this season, Danny Awdia in particular will receive even less during the next two: 13.1 million in 2026/27 and even 11.9 million in 2027/28!
The importance of Chauncey Billups in his development
« Do I regret this contract? no » however the main interested person answers, with The Athletic. « It gave me a lot of peace because I know that I am safe now. That was my goal, I told my agent who is more of a guy to tell me to sign for a shorter term, but I told him if I exceeded (the value of my) contract (with my performances), then that was it. And we’ll take care of the rest later. I’m not going to worry about 10 million more or 20 million less. I got this, I’m grateful and I don’t take it for granted. Then, that’s still a lot of money. »
New boss PortlandDanny Avdia will therefore need five years to definitely explode in the NBA. The ninth pick in the 2020 draft, he first experienced a fight with Washington that “made him hardened » more, after already quite a bit « tests » Europe.
And then he goes to Oregon, where it landed in the summer of 2024that the winger gradually transformed into the potential All-Star he is now.
« When I arrived, it was difficult for me to find my role. I had to find a new identity for myself » admits at first. Then Chauncey Billups, his former coachunlocked him in the game to force him to rely on his physical qualities: ” He suggested that as soon as I get the rebound, that’s my moment and just push the ball and attack. »
People should understand that he carries us”
Nicknamed “Turbo”, Danny Avdia shifted gears: ” When I started playing like that, my confidence gradually stopped. Chauncey told me all the time that he thought I could become a great player. He saw things in certain aspects of my game that I didn’t necessarily appreciate and that’s something I appreciate. »
If he revealed himself to everyone this season (26.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists), in a team that is barely balanced (22 wins – 22 losses), the Israeli already used the end of last season to start an individual rise: 26.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 5.2 interceptions in the last month and 1 assist in the last month.
The game opened up more for Danny Avdia, who became the perfect blend of power, speed and aggression. To the delight of his new coach, Tiago Splitter: “ People should understand that he is only carrying us. And he does it by playing in a different position (from his own). »
With the physical issues of Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, the 25-year-old player has really changed the dimension as a playmaker.
The perfect complement to Damian Lillard?
Besides, if anyone is raving about Danny Avdia’s performances, it’s the heavily injured Blazers, Damian Lillard. Far from being stingy with compliments about him.
« I think he is a necessary player in this league right now. » says the All-Star leader openly. ” He pressures the rim, he draws fouls, he can make threes, he’s big, he’s fast… We see the league developing and, if the team wants to be successful, they need a guy like him. He needs a wing center who is capable of doing everything and he hits everything. »
Apparently, Damian Lillard can’t help but think about next season as well, once healed : « In fact, I think he’s the perfect type of wing to play with me. He’s aggressive at the rim, he’s a good facilitator, he draws attention on defense… So with me opposite him on the court, and with him being more of a wing than a guard, I think it’s a very good balance. »
Listening to him, Danny Avdia says that he is ready for a new step in any case, in order to help Portland to return to the playoffs as quickly as possible, after almost five years of absence.
« I know there is still a level I can reach » considers in this way. ” I’m still making a lot of these mistakes that come with learning about this whole situation. Before this season, I didn’t often have the ball in my hands at the end of the match. Teams didn’t focus on me as much and I didn’t have the freedom to try as many things as possible. It takes some getting used to. »
| Danny Avdia | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | YOU | 54 | 23:17 | 41.7 | 31.5 | 64.4 | 0.4 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 6.3 |
| 2021-22 | YOU | 82 | 24:12 | 43.2 | 31.7 | 75.7 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 8.4 |
| 2022-23 | YOU | 76 | 26:35 | 43.7 | 29.7 | 73.9 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 9.2 |
| 2023-24 | YOU | 75 | 30:06 | 50.6 | 37.4 | 74.0 | 1.1 | 6.1 | 7.2 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 14.7 |
| 2024-25 | BI | 72 | 30:01 | 47.6 | 36.5 | 78.0 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 7.3 | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 16.9 |
| 2025-26 | BI | 41 | 35:16 | 47.0 | 35.5 | 80.4 | 1.0 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 6.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 0.6 | 26.2 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-22 13:35:00
