Blazers star looks for other ways to contribute amid shocking shooting slump

New Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija hasn’t had the smoothest transition to the Trail Blazers since being traded to Portland from the Washington Wizards. Avdija has seen his shooting averages dip early in the 2024-25 season as he has grown into his role with the Blazers.

Through seven games, Avdija is shooting just 33.8 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from the three-point line, both the lowest marks of his NBA career. He has averaged 10.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, but could score more with better accuracy. During the Blazers’ most recent loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, Avdija hit just four of his 12 attempts from the field, and two of five three-point attempts.

In three games this season, Avdija has failed to make any of his three-point attempts.

“I feel like I’m still trying to get into the rhythm with everything,” Avdija said via Oregon Live. “For me personally, the season is a bit of a slow start, but I’m trying to contribute with other things.”

By comparison, Avdija shot career-highs of 50 percent from the field and 37.4 percent on three-pointers last season. He has shot over 40 percent from the field in every season of his NBA career.

“I feel like even though I’m not having the best offensive nights, I’m still doing my best to help the team win,” Avdija said.

While Avdija is in a shooting slump, his teammates still recognize the other contributions he makes to the team.

“It’s big for us to have him get out and run with the ball in his hands,” Blazers guard Anfernee Simons said. “He makes big plays, gets rebounds and pushes.”

The 23-year-old remains confident that he will continue to shoot more consistently as the season progresses and continue to build better chemistry with his new teammates. Avdija’s shooting average from the field improved during each season he spent with the Wizards, even as his playing time and shooting attempts increased.

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