If Deni Avdija isn't an All-Star, what exactly is the standard?
The Portland Trail Blazers' bold trade with the Washington Wizards is completely reshaping the trajectory of their rebuild as they have managed to land a legitimate All-Star who has quickly become the face of the franchise.
Avdija is having a career year in Portland, averaging 25.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.0 assists on 47/36/79 shooting splits.
It's the three-level scoring, combined with his underrated playmaking, that makes Avdija such a valuable weapon for the Blazers, who are using him effectively in a point-forward role. Portland's depleted backcourt that remains without Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Blake Wesley may have forced their hand, but this was always the pathway to Avdija's star ceiling they envisioned when trading for him.