In a preseason matchup that had Golden State Warriors fans buzzing about their own squad’s chemistry at Chase Center, a subtle shift in the visiting Portland Trail Blazers’ lineup sent ripples through the trade rumor mill. Deni Avdija, the breakout forward who’s been turning heads with his late-season heroics, surprisingly came off the bench for the first time in years. While it might seem like a minor preseason quirk, insiders whisper that the Warriors are already circling, eyeing the 24-year-old as a perfect puzzle piece for their championship chase.
Avdija’s scorching finish to the 2024-25 campaign was nothing short of electric. Over his final 30 games with the Wizards—before the blockbuster summer trade to Portland—he erupted for 20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, all while scorching the nets on 49.1% from the field and a blistering 39.4% from deep. That’s the kind of elite 49/39 splits that make front offices salivate, blending volume scoring with spacing and versatility. At 6’9″ with a wiry frame and a basketball IQ that belies his age, Avdija isn’t just a scorer—he’s a connector, a defender who can switch 1-4, and a playmaker who elevates any lineup.
So when Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups slotted Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Jerami Grant, and rookie Donovan Clingan into the starting five on Wednesday, leaving Avdija to anchor the second unit, eyebrows raised across the league. The move wasn’t punitive; Avdija still logged nearly 20 minutes, dropping 14 points, snagging eight boards, and dishing three dimes with his trademark efficiency. No signs of rust or frustration—he looked every bit the star Portland acquired in that three-team deal that shipped out Anfernee Simons and a future first.
But in the cutthroat world of NBA roster tinkering, one game is all it takes to ignite the trade machine. Sources close to the Warriors’ front office indicate Golden State has quietly reignited a long-simmering interest in Avdija, dating back to the 2020 draft when they reportedly coveted him before he fell to No. 9 overall. Back then, taking him at No. 2 would’ve been a gamble, but five years later, he’s no longer a prospect—he’s a proven commodity, molded into a seamless fit for Steve Kerr’s motion offense.
Imagine Avdija slipping into the Warriors’ veteran core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Al Horford. His size addresses Golden State’s perennial wing depth issues, allowing him to slide next to Green in small-ball lineups or stagger minutes with Butler to keep the floor spaced. Avdija’s improved handle and vision (career-high 2.1 assists per game last season) would amplify Curry’s gravity, creating driving lanes and kick-out opportunities. Defensively, he’s a Swiss Army knife—capable of chasing guards off screens or anchoring against bigger wings—while his 37% three-point clip over the last two years forces help defenders to hesitate, opening the paint for Golden State’s signature cuts and lobs.
What makes this pursuit even more tantalizing? Avdija’s contract is a steal in today’s inflated market. Fresh off a four-year, $55 million extension with Washington that’s front-loaded and descending, he’s earning $14.4 million this season before dipping to just $25 million combined over the next two years. For a Warriors team cap-strapped after Butler’s megadeal and Horford’s re-signing, that’s bargain-bin pricing for a 21/8/5 engine who could extend their contention window by half a decade.
Of course, Billups might scrap the bench experiment by opening night—preseason lineups are as fluid as a summer league roster. Portland views Avdija as their cornerstone, the engine to propel Sharpe and Clingan into stardom, and trading him after one summer would smack of panic. But if the Blazers stumble out of the gate or if Avdija’s role stays muddled, Golden State won’t hesitate. They’ve got draft capital (including that protected first from the Kuminga extension flip) and young pieces like Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski that could sweeten a package without gutting the core.
League observers point to the Warriors’ aggressive offseason as a sign they’re all-in: Butler’s arrival was the splash, but quiet moves like this are the depth charges. Avdija’s fit is too organic to ignore—high-IQ passing in the half-court, relentless rebounding on a team that ranked 22nd last year, and enough pop to thrive in transition with Curry’s outlet bombs. One preseason anomaly, and the Bay Area’s trade whispers are already deafening.
As the regular season looms, keep an eye on Portland’s rotations. If Avdija’s minutes dip or his usage shifts, expect Mike Dunleavy’s phone to light up. In a league where stars like Avdija don’t hit free agency often, the Warriors know: Strike now, or watch another contender poach your next dynasty brick. This bombshell might just be the first crack in Portland’s armor—and Golden State’s gain.