PORTLAND, Ore. — Newly acquired Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija spoke to the media for the first time on Monday since being traded to Portland from the Washington Wizards.
Avdija was the Wizards' ninth overall selection in the 2020 NBA draft and had a breakout year this past season, averaging 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three.
Avdija was surprised he was traded from the Wizards, saying, "I was a little shocked, it's tough to leave home, but I'm excited to start a new chapter and really take this organization to the next level."
After being traded on short notice for a player who averaged around 30 minutes a game in Malcolm Brogdon, Avdija will likely step into the Blazers' starting small forward spot.
When asked to describe his game, Avdija described it as "team friendly," saying, "I'm always making the right play, trying to make the right play as much as I can. I'm very team friendly. I want to do the best I can to make them be better on the court."
Along with his suggested team-friendly game, Avdija provides something the Blazers desperately need in 3-point shooting, where Avdija ranked 20th across all small forwards in 3-point percentage. His game took a jump last season when his 3-point percentage rose from 29% to 37% after the off-season.
"I really worked on the mental side of shooting and really understand that I am a good shooter, and I really worked a whole summer focusing on the shot and making sure I was confident about it," Avdija said.
His 3-point shooting elevated his game as Avdija played in 75 games for the Wizards last year. In an age where players miss games for the slightest mishap, Avdija takes pride in his ability to play nearly an entire season.
"I'm every day in the gym, weight room, treatment room trying to get my body right. It's really important for me. I want to be there for the team in every game possible," he said.
Though impressive that he played 75 games, Avdija was on a Wizards team which only won 15 games, second worst in the NBA. Now he comes to a Blazers squad which is in a similar position, but he isn't letting it get to him.
"Don't look at the record, just come and play as hard as you can and compete to win," Avdija said. "For me, every win last year (in Washington), even though we didn't win as much, was big time. Big time for our group, big time for me. And I'm trying to continue this culture here as well."
