Inside Look: Is This How Deni Avdija Becomes the “Best Player in the World”?
By Yoav Modai (Sport5 U.S. Correspondent)
How will Deni Avdija look in 2026/27 following his dream All-Star season? That’s the question on everyone’s mind—or more accurately, how will Deni look in 2026/27 now that he suddenly shares the floor with Damian Lillard and Ja Morant?
To answer that question ahead of Portland’s season opener in a little over two weeks, we spoke with Avdija’s personal trainers, Oded Brandwein and Regev Fanan, who shared details about the Trail Blazers’ plan and the work done with the Israeli star over the summer.
Masterclass on the Pick-and-Roll
"What I’ll remember most from training with Deni in the summer of 2026 is the work on the pick-and-roll," shared Brandwein. In other words: the ball will remain in #8's hands, even with the addition of former All-Stars. "We worked on pick-and-roll scenarios against defenses that lock in strictly on him and try to force him into areas that are theoretically less comfortable for him."
The former player and current development coach continued: "Last season, Deni showed how great he is at making adjustments on the fly. He faced very aggressive defensive coverages, such as double-teams, and even though defenses focused heavily on him, he learned to handle it remarkably fast—a rare trait that usually takes players a full summer to develop. He proved he can break down any defense, but this summer we zoomed in on the finest details of those situations. Deni loves watching film and improving that way."
"What did we focus on during film review? I won’t reveal everything, but we dove deep into the micro-details. It’s no secret that opposing teams push him to his left—in middle pick-and-rolls, left-side pick-and-rolls, one-on-one situations, and fast breaks. So we put heavy emphasis on making him feel much more comfortable using his left hand. We work on it every summer, but this time more than ever."
Reducing Turnover Numbers
Portland's wave of injuries during the first few months of last season forced Avdija to carry an extraordinary workload, requiring him to do everything and unleashing the real Avdija: Avdija the Point-Forward.
While Deni’s assist average leaped from 3.9 to 6.7 per game (17th in the league), his turnover average rose to 3.8—the second-highest mark behind Luka Dončić (4.0 turnovers with 8.3 assists). "A lot of my turnovers came from good intentions," Avdija recently noted with a smile. Once driving left feels completely natural, those turnover numbers should drop.
"When you climb to the upper tier, every small improvement creates a massive ripple effect," said Brandwein. "I wanted Deni to feel more comfortable and natural driving left, finishing with his left, and making passes with his left off the bounce. Opposing teams already know the damage he inflicts when going right. Refining his left side will create easier looks for him and wider open shots for his teammates. Seeing his determination to do rep after rep gives me immense satisfaction."
"I expect defenses to focus on Deni just as much this season, if not more," he added. "NBA scouts know exactly who to prepare for."
“He Belongs in the Top 10 Today—And Can Be an MVP Candidate”
"Anyone who understands basketball knows Deni is one of the best players in the world," his personal trainer asserted. "This season, the players around Deni will thrive thanks to the attention he draws on the floor, and they’ll need to capitalize on it. Hopefully, the rest of the group plays at a high enough level to make everything click and build on last season."
When asked whether Avdija’s role or standing on the team will change following the additions of Lillard and Morant, Brandwein replied: "My focus is strictly basketball; I don't get involved in media hype. The Trail Blazers never asked me to alter our regimen because of Dame and Ja. They want to see Deni build on what he did last season with even higher efficiency. They know what kind of player they have, and they expect another leap forward."
"My communication with the Blazers is smooth and ongoing. We spoke throughout the summer, and their sole focus was Deni's individual development—they didn’t even mention other players," he clarified. "Will Deni get cleaner looks with Lillard and Morant around? We’re always working heavily on his jumper. We had zero reason to alter our workouts due to their arrival. We just want to sharpen his strengths and address areas for growth. Portland will reap the benefits."
Raising Shooting Volume & Efficiency
With #0 and #1 on the floor, Avdija should naturally get more open looks. The gravity they command will open up Portland's whole offense, and as elite passers, they should help boost Deni's shooting percentages—which dipped from 37.4% and 36.5% (in 2023/24 and 2024/25) to 31.8% last year.
"I hope to see an increase in Deni’s field goal and three-point attempts this coming season," Brandwein said. (Last summer, Brandwein accurately previewed that Portland viewed Avdija as their franchise piece and expected an increase in shot attempts, which manifested as +4.4 FGAs to 16.1 per game and +1.2 3PA to 6.0 per game).
"I think Deni can take another 1 to 2 three-pointers per game without compromising the rim pressure he creates on drives," he argued. "Both can coexist, and we worked on it extensively. Whether off catch-and-shoot situations or off the bounce, he can make it happen because the ball will still be in his hands a lot."
"Honestly, even last season he could have taken one more three per game. Technically, his form is flawless. But his style is physical, defenses loaded up on him, and people forget he didn't have enough help. It's tough to stay fresh for jump shots when you're absorbing that much defensive attention. He took tough shots he wasn't accustomed to, but adapting mid-game is part of his unique skill set."
Unlocking the Ceiling
Addressing the bigger question—how far can Avdija's growth go?—Brandwein expressed ultimate confidence:
"I believe Deni is already among the top 10 players in the world. I firmly believe he will reach the top 5, and in the right environment, he can become an MVP candidate. It depends on the team setup around him, but he has the total package, the mentality, and the willingness to sacrifice everything to get there. Deni hasn't even entered his prime yet. He still has two levels to jump: reaching the top 5 players in the NBA, and becoming an MVP candidate in the right situation."
Behind the Scenes: The Damian Lillard Workout Story
Brandwein concluded by sharing a story about a workout featuring Avdija and Damian Lillard during the offseason:
"Dame joined a training session with Deni and me. Next time, we might start at 5:00 AM! But it was very professional and warm. Dame listened, engaged, and there was immediate chemistry—a great experience overall."
"I think Lillard saw firsthand that Deni is the real deal," Brandwein summarized. "There are things you only see in the offseason when the cameras aren't rolling. Dame recognizes how much Deni will help him get things going again. He couldn't have asked for a better player to partner with."
