The list of players who topped 24 points and 6 assists last year is star-studded. It also features Portland’s breakout star Deni Avdija.
Deni Avdija was in esteemed company last year across many statistical categories, but especially for his rare mix of scoring and facilitating. He was one of only seven players last year to average over 24 points and over 6 assists. The rest of the list reads like a who's who of the league's greatest players and perennial MVP candidates. Avdija made his most improved player case by not only increasing scoring by over 7 points but also averaging close to 3 more assists per game.
The Blazers' breakout star is accompanied by multiple-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic, reigning back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and finals MVP Jalen Brunson. Jokic and Avdija are the only frontcourt players on the list, with the Blazers star being the only forward. While all the other 24 and 6 players averaged more points than Avdija, he was one of only three players on the list who also reached 6.9 rebounds to go with it. He joined Jokic and Luka Doncic for this distinction.
All-star voting indicates Avdija is a household name on a global scale, but few would put him in a category with the stars named above. He might be the league's best-kept secret. That's likely about to change with him playing alongside a high-octane backcourt of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard. Already a playoff team in an extremely competitive Western Conference, the Blazers will look to make a deeper run next year. At the same time, Avdija's stats are likely to dip with fewer shots and playmaking opportunities to go around. There will be fewer point-forward opportunities with the Blazers' logjam at guard; luckily, Avdija is an efficient scorer often getting to the free-throw line and producing.
Last year, Avdija had a 31% usage rate and led the league with 19.4 drives per game. It could unlock his game to play with elite playmakers and have him slash off the ball. The double teams the Morant-Lillard combination likely will get could also open up opportunities for the forward. While he doesn't have the flash of his new star duo, he's shown he can do the heavy lifting for a postseason team in his own right. A team with an extremely young core at that, that looked to him as a closer. If he'll be a repeat All-Star could come down to team success in a talent-rich Western Conference. It's going to be a pivotal year for Avdija's development with a wealth of new weapons as well as a bigger focus on him on scouting reports.
