ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently named Deni Avdija as a projected candidate to make his first All-Star appearance this season. Pelton didn't go as far as considering Avdija a way-too-early lock, but the fact that he's even in the conversation to represent the loaded Western Conference shows that the Portland Trail Blazers aren't losing the star power to the extent that some may think.
"Over the course of his first season in Portland, Avdija emerged as the Blazers' best player, averaging 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists after the All-Star break with 50-40 shooting splits. He has picked up where he left off, putting up 22.