Avdija Reunites with Former Teammates After Trail Blazers’ Win
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Moda Center echoed with Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” as the Portland Trail Blazers celebrated their comfortable 112-97 win against the Washington Wizards on Monday night. During this moment, Deni Avdija made his way from the Trail Blazers’ bench to midcourt to greet and embrace his former teammates.
However, there was a notable change: only seven of Avdija’s old teammates remained on the Wizards’ roster. Though he exchanged greetings and hugs with Tristan Vukčević, Bilal Coulibaly, and Jordan Poole, familiar veterans like Kyle Kuzma, Tyus Jones, and Landry Shamet were no longer present.
Anthony Gill, a close friend of Avdija’s in Washington, welcomed him and also introduced him to Bub Carrington. The Wizards had traded Avdija to the Blazers on draft night, acquiring Carrington’s draft rights, Malcolm Brogdon, a first-round pick in 2029, and two future second-round picks in exchange.
“I wanted to ensure there were no hard feelings,” Gill explained to The Athletic about connecting Avdija and Carrington. He mentioned the rumors circulating on social media about the trade. “Deni was crucial to what this organization was building, and now Bub is a key part of our current direction. I wanted them to meet, and hopefully, we can all share a meal the next time we’re in town.”
Avdija has been thriving in Portland, establishing himself as potentially the Blazers’ best all-around young talent. Although his performance on Monday included just 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists—below his average—the Blazers didn’t require much from him, especially with the Wizards resting Poole and Khris Middleton in the second half.
While the trade is a difficult topic for the usually cheerful Avdija, he reflects positively on his time with the Wizards. After signing a four-year, $55 million rookie-scale contract extension before the current season, he was blindsided by the trade. He expressed his feelings on Instagram, sharing, “Dc u will forever be in my heart” with a broken-heart emoji. He recounted the emotional impact of the trade, saying it felt like his friendships and ties to the city vanished instantly, but added, “I feel like I found a nice home in Portland.”
Though the transition took time, Avdija showcased his skills in recent games, including an impressive 34-point outing against Golden State. Blazers coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged Avdija’s growing responsibilities on the court and praised his energy and toughness, noting that he elevates the team’s performance.
The Wizards are missing Avdija’s defensive prowess and overall skills. According to Coulibaly, the camaraderie they shared is irreplaceable. After the Blazers faced the Raptors, Coulibaly and Gill spent time with Avdija, expressing their joy at reconnecting with him. “He brings so much joy,” Gill concluded.
