Trail Blaziers' Deni Avdija Gets Overlooked In Latest NBA Player Rankings

Deni Avdija is coming off the best season of his NBA career, establishing himself as a legitimate star with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, you wouldn't know it by looking at The Athletic's latest NBA player tiers.

The publication released its preseason player tiers on Friday, examining the league's top talent heading into the 2026-27 campaign. Somehow, Avdija appears to have been overlooked, as the Trail Blazers forward doesn't seem to have a place in any of the rankings.

That omission is difficult to ignore considering the season Avdija just put together. He averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game in 2025-26, earning his first All-Star selection and establishing himself as one of Portland's most important players. He also finished among the top three in Most Improved Player voting, capping a remarkable rise from a solid starter to one of the league's more productive forwards.

Avdija's development has been one of the biggest success stories in Portland over the past two seasons. The Trail Blazers acquired him from the Washington Wizards in the summer of 2024, and the move has turned into a major win for the franchise. He has developed into a player capable of scoring at all three levels, attacking the basket with physicality and creating opportunities for his teammates.

His combination of size, strength and playmaking makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. Avdija can push the ball in transition, finish through contact and serve as a primary offensive option when necessary. Those qualities have helped him become a foundational piece for a Portland team looking to take another step forward.

There are still areas where Avdija can improve, particularly with his outside shooting consistency and ball security. However, those weaknesses shouldn't overshadow the significant strides he has made or the impact he had last season.

The Trail Blazers have also added significant talent this offseason, bringing Ja Morant into the backcourt while Damian Lillard prepares to return from injury. That could change how much Avdija handles the ball, but it should also create opportunities for him to thrive alongside two established guards.

Portland's improved roster could ultimately help Avdija become even more efficient, especially if opposing defenses have to devote more attention to Morant and Lillard.

Player tiers are subjective, and The Athletic's rankings aren't necessarily a definitive measure of a player's value. Still, leaving Avdija out of the conversation entirely feels like an oversight after the season he just delivered. He wasn't listed while players like Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, and Norman Powell were.

The 25-year-old has already proven he can produce at an All-Star level. If he continues developing and helps Portland become a legitimate postseason threat, it will become increasingly difficult for the rest of the NBA to overlook him.