Israeli forward Deni Avdija’s breakout season with the Portland Trail Blazers ended with a first-round NBA playoff exit, but discussion in the United States has quickly shifted to what Portland should do next — and to the hostility Avdija receives online.
In an appearance on YouTuber N3on’s show, Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. briefly discussed Avdija and appeared surprised to hear that the Portland forward draws significant hate.
Porter first mentioned Avdija as a player who gets to the free-throw line often. N3on responded: “He gets a lot of hate, he's a good player.”
Porter asked whether that hatred was because Avdija is Jewish, and N3on said yes. “What are people mad about?” Porter asked.
“Because he wore a flag or something,” N3on replied, referring to Avdija’s public displays of Israeli identity.
“It’s so weird,” Porter said. “Do people not want others to represent their country? What do they expect from him?”
Avdija, one of Israel’s most prominent athletes, has long spoken publicly about his connection to Israel and his Jewish identity. His strong season in Portland made him a central part of the Trail Blazers’ future discussions, even after the team’s playoff run ended in the opening round.
The conversation around Avdija’s future also surfaced on The Zach Lowe Show, where senior NBA analyst Zach Lowe hosted writer Kirk Goldsberry, a former San Antonio Spurs staffer. The two discussed Portland’s roster, focusing in part on the Israeli forward and the team’s young core.
Lowe said Avdija is unlikely to agree to any contract extension Portland could offer him now, because the salary would be too low compared with what he may command later.
Lowe was referring to the fact that Avdija is set to become a free agent in 2028, when the NBA salary cap is expected to rise significantly. If he waits, he could be eligible for a much larger deal than anything Portland can offer him this summer.
Goldsberry described Portland’s season as turbulent but successful. “Portland had a crazy season,” he said, citing the situation involving Chauncey Billups and the team’s ownership transfer. “They rose above it. I think it’s a successful season and they need to extend Tiago Splitter.”
Goldsberry included Avdija among the players who should lead the Trail Blazers going forward. “It’s him, Donovan Clingan and Scoot Henderson,” he said. “Damian Lillard will come back and be the face of the franchise, but I don’t expect a lot from him.”
Goldsberry added that Avdija must improve his shooting. “If he does that, it would be huge for Portland,” he said.