Deni Avdija makes defense his next step as a smaller Blazers team heads into the opener

Deni Avdija has set himself one clear target for his third season in Portland: become a forward opponents respect as much for his defense as for his scoring. He said so after the Trail Blazers practiced on Sunday, October 18, three days before the opener against Phoenix.

The goal carries extra weight because of how Portland is built. Avdija, a 6-foot-8 All-Star, is surrounded by a backcourt of Ja Morant, Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday, and none of the four stands taller than 6-foot-4. Someone has to absorb the bigger assignments, and the forward who carried the offense last season is volunteering.

What Avdija told reporters

Speaking with the local media, as Sahal Arwo reported in his post with video, Avdija described a group that spent the exhibition schedule learning one another and comes into the regular season in good spirits. He argued that the roster’s flexibility is a strength, and that any lineup Portland sends out can make it work.

He was just as direct about the cost of winning. Teams that win, he said, give things up for one another, and he expects this one to be no different. He also named the obvious danger of playing small: with so many guards on the floor, all five players will have to box out and chase rebounds.

The numbers he brings

Avdija broke through in 2025-26 with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists a game in 66 starts, career highs in points and assists, and he went to his first All-Star Game. The defensive side is where he sees room to grow.

His preseason showed both halves of his game. He had 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting against Golden State on October 7, then 26 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 25 minutes in a 110-98 win over Sacramento on October 13. In the exhibition finale, a 128-118 loss at Golden State on Friday, he had 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 23 minutes, though he shot 5 of 15 and missed all four of his threes.

Rebounding, the issue he raised himself, held up that night: Portland won the glass 43-39 and grabbed 13 offensive boards, but it also committed 17 turnovers and allowed 10 steals.

What comes next

Portland opens the 2026-27 regular season at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, October 21, at 10 p.m. ET. Game details, lineups and live stats are on the Game Center.