Sports Illustrated: Deni Avdija's High Ceiling and Championship Ambitions
Sports Illustrated analyst Austin White argues that Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija can elevate his game to superstardom and become a true franchise cornerstone for a championship contender in 2026/27.
Deni Avdija reached the NBA All-Star status last season, but analysts in the United States believe the Israeli star is still far from his true ceiling. Austin White dedicated an article in Sports Illustrated to the high expectations surrounding Avdija ahead of the 2026/27 season, setting an ambitious goal for him: transitioning from a breakout star to a franchise cornerstone for a championship contender.
Moving Beyond the Underrated Tag
"Avdija rose to the top tier of the NBA last season with his first All-Star selection, yet he still seems largely overlooked in discussions about the league's elite players," White wrote. "The only way to shed the underrated label is to prove it again—and at an even higher level." Avdija finished the previous campaign averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game. According to White, his primary mission is proving that this stellar performance was no fluke.
Consistent elite play is what separates the very good from the truly great. The Israeli has already proven he can reach that bar, and now he must work to sustain it night after night across an 82-game schedule.
Expanding the Offensive Arsenal
White highlighted outside shooting as the key factor that could elevate Avdija into an entirely new tier. After shooting 37.4% and 36.5% from beyond the arc in previous years, Avdija dipped to 31.8% last season. However, White remains optimistic about his potential growth, noting that recapturing his perimeter touch could unlock unprecedented scoring numbers.
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Averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season.
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Reached the free-throw line 9.2 times per game, ranking second in the NBA.
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Projected by analysts to potentially target a 30-point scoring average if his three-point percentage climbs back above 35%.
Primed for Championship Ambitions
With Ja Morant arriving and Damian Lillard returning, the Portland Trail Blazers still rely heavily on Avdija as an offensive engine. White concluded that Avdija is fully capable of stepping into the elite category reserved for players who build championship-caliber franchises, comparing his trajectory to modern NBA greats who defied early skeptics.
