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Deni Avdija Rumors
The head coach of the senior national team of Israel, Ariel Beit-Halahmy, selected 20 players as candidates for the final squad for the upcoming EuroBasket 2025. The Israeli Basketball Association presented the preliminary list on Sunday. With Deni Avdija revealing his intention to return to international action following the 2024-25 journey with the Portland Trail Blazers, he is now officially confirmed.
Grizzlies targeting Deni Avdija?
Conventional wisdom and recent NBA Playoffs results suggest the Memphis Grizzlies do not need another superstar to contend; Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. just need the right finishing piece to maximize their potential. It seems EVP/GM Zach Kleiman sees the benefits of that approach with new head coach Tuomas Iisalo at the helm. Although it is understood that no deal is imminent, Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers) has emerged as a trade target for the Grizzlies in multiple conversations with league sources.
Sources tell ClutchPoints the Grizzlies are doing their due diligence on Avdija as the NBA Draft approaches. The highly competitive, Chauncey Billups and Scoot Henderson-led Trail Blazers are understood to be weighing whether to continue building around young talents like Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, and Henderson or leverage their well-seasoned assets for future draft picks in a loaded 2026 class.
Deni Avdija was invited to light an Independence Day torch in the state ceremony to be held on Mount Herzl. Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who is in charge of the ceremony, invited the NBA player. Avdija made history when he was drafted to the NBA in the highest position ever achieved by an Israeli player and has since then continued to conquer more peaks. In the past year, he clocked major achievements," a statement read. He became a leading member of the best league in the world."
Before focusing on the 2025-26 journey with the Blazers and starting the next challenge alongside head coach Chauncey Billups, he is set to represent Israel in the EuroBasket 2025. “It’s very important for me to represent Israel,” he stressed, “I really like playing with the national team and I think it will prepare me well for the next season, both in terms of fitness and leadership. I am excited to play with my friends. It’s something very hard for me to give up.”
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Sean Highkin: Deni Avdija on Billups extension: "I've had a lot of fun playing for Chauncey. He's a winner. He's a competitor. I'm happy."
Shams Charania: Chauncey Billups has had a .550 winning percentage since Jan. 19 – with Blazers ranking in top-five in defense during that span, per ESPN Research – while developing emerging talent in Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara.
Sean Highkin: Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija are both out. Starters are Dalano Banton, Matisse Thybulle, Kris Murray, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan.
Sean Highkin: Blazers say Shaedon Sharpe is questionable tomorrow vs. Golden State with right knee soreness. Deni Avdija is doubtful. Everyone else who’s been out is still out.
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Sean Highkin: Deni Avdija, Anfernee Simons and Duop Reath are all questionable tomorrow in Utah. Toumani Camara is not on the injury report.
Deni Avdija on NBA Europe: 'I just hope it doesn’t ruin anything'
Avdija spent three years playing professionally in Europe for Maccabi Tel Aviv, amassing 34 EuroLeague appearances before joining the NBA in 2020, when he was selected ninth overall by the Washington Wizards. With solid experience on both sides of the Atlantic, his opinion carries weight. “I don’t really go into the idea or what’s going to happen. I’m just happy that the game is expanding. I just hope it doesn’t ruin anything in Europe. You know, there are some authentic things in Europe that you don’t want to take away, and I just hope it brings more fans but that the competition remains the same,” said Avdija, who knows well what the lively environments of the EuroLeague are like.
Sean Highkin: Avdija and Reath are out, Simons and Camara are TBD, Cissoko is playing.
Sean Highkin: Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Sidy Cissoko, Duip Reath and Anfernee Simons are all questionable tomorrow vs. San Antonio. Scoot Henderson remains out.
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