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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija finishes loss to Greece with 23 points
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 10:59 AM
Deni Avdija tallied 23 points (5-of-11 FGs, 9-of-12 FTs), three rebounds, one assist, two steals and four three-pointers in Sunday's loss to Greece.
Analysis: Avdija's run at FIBA EuroBasket ended on Sunday, as Israel had no answer for Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, on the heels of a successful debut season in Portland, this tournament was a success for Avdija individually. He scored at least 20 points in all six games, shooting just under 50 percent from the field. Avdija's play, especially after the All-Star break, was one of the sources of optimism for the Trail Blazers despite missing the postseason. While a healthy Jerami Grant may push him back into a reserve role to begin next season, Avdija's opportunities to be an impactful contributor should not be negatively impacted. |
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Deni Avdija Avdija scores 34, outdueled by Doncic in loss
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 7:20 AM
Deni Avdija poured in 34 points (12-of-22 FGs), nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and four three-pointers in a 106-96 loss to Slovenia on Thursday.
Analysis: Avdija has been a force for Israel throughout EuroBasket, but this was his best performance of the tournament so far. However, it wasn't enough to get the win over Luka Doncic (37/11/9) and Slovenia, which drops Israel to 3-2. They've qualified for the Round of 16, so expect more big performances from Avdija moving forward. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija scores 22 points in win over Belgium
Tue, Sep 2, 2025, 10:38 AM
Deni Avdija contributed 22 points in Tuesday's 92-89 win over Belgium, adding three rebounds, four assists, a steal and two triples across 35 minutes.
Analysis: Avdija finished with at least 20 points in his fourth straight Eurobasket game, leading Israel to a needed victory. For as long as his team is still in contention, he should be the go-to option on offense. Heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, Avdija is ready to take another step forward with Portland after a breakout 2024-25 campaign. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija scores 23 points in win over France
Sun, Aug 31, 2025, 6:59 AM
Deni Avdija finished Israel's win over France with 23 points (7-of-10 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, five steals and three three-pointers.
Analysis: Having lost to Poland on Saturday, Israel entered Sunday's game against France needing a win to improve its chances of advancing out of the group stage. They got the job done, thanks to the offensive production of Avdija and former Boston Celtics draft pick Yam Madar (17/4/3/2 with two three-pointers) and the decision to switch to a 2-3 zone during the second half. Israel turned a 10-point deficit into an 82-69 victory, holding France without a point for more than four minutes during the fourth quarter. |
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Deni Avdija Avdija tallies 23/9/5/2/2 line in loss to Poland
Sat, Aug 30, 2025, 10:38 AM
Deni Avdija led Israel with 23 points (7-of-19 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks and three three-pointers in a 66-64 loss to Poland on Saturday.
Analysis: Avdija scored 20 points in Israel's win over Iceland on Thursday, and while he was able to surpass that mark and stuff the stat sheet in other ways, it wasn't enough for them to start EuroBasket 2-0. Avdija will continue to lead the way for Israel throughout the tournament, with France next up on the schedule on Sunday. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija scores 20 points vs. Iceland
Thu, Aug 28, 2025, 5:07 AM
Deni Avdija finished Israel's EuroBasket victory over Iceland with 20 points (5-of-12 FGs, 10-of-12 FTs), nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
Analysis: Avdija got his 2025 FIBA EuroBasket campaign off to a solid start, even if his three-point shot was not falling. The Trail Blazers forward missed all five of his attempts from beyond the arc, but he proved a difficult matchup for Iceland inside the arc. Avdija shot 5-of-7 from two while also attempting 12 free throws, making 10. Teammate Roman Sorkin was the star of the 83-71 victory, as he went off for 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting. While Avdija's role with his national team stands to be different from the one he'll be asked to fill on a healthy Trail Blazers squad once the NBA season begins, he's a player to watch in this tournament. In his first season with Portland, Avdija proved an excellent fantasy asset from Christmas onward, especially after Jerami Grant was sidelined due to injury. |
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Blake Wesley Report: Trail Blazers sign Blake Wesley
Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 6:55 PM
Sean Highkin
According to multiple outlets, Blake Wesley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: Traded to the Wizards on July 8, Wesley agreed to a contract buyout and became an unrestricted free agent. He's now headed to Portland on a one-year deal that will be fully guaranteed. Wesley offered little fantasy value during his time with the Spurs, and that's unlikely to change in Portland. In addition to the offseason acquisition of Jrue Holiday, the Blazers return Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, who will play plenty. |
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Damian Lillard Shams: Damian Lillard finalizing deal with Blazers
Thu, Jul 17, 2025, 11:26 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Damian Lillard will sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers.
Analysis: The contract includes a player option in 2027. Lillard now will have a 2025-26 set salary of $70M between his Portland and Milwaukee deals, and a salary of $141M over the next two years, according to Charania. The 35-year-old point guard is heading back to where his career began when the Trail Blazers selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard is unlikely to play much if at all this season as he recovers from Achilles surgery, but looks to finish his career right where he started it. The deal includes a no-trade clause. |
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Rayan Rupert Rupert scores 24 points with four threes vs. NOR
Tue, Jul 15, 2025, 7:03 PM
Rayan Rupert led the Trail Blazers with 24 points (9-of-12 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, two steals and four three-pointers in a 93-87 win over the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Analysis: Rupert was fantastic on Friday and followed that up with a dud on Saturday. However, he got back on track on Tuesday after a few days off. The 2023 second-round pick has been playing as well as you'd expect someone entering their third season to play, which is encouraging. He's a talented player, but the path to minutes in Portland is murky. |
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Sidy Cissoko Sidy Cissoko leads Blazers with 20 points Saturday
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 7:33 PM
Sidy Cissoko accumulated 20 points (7-of-14 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies.
Analysis: Cissoko is on a two-way contract, so his fantasy value for the 2025-26 season is virtually non-existent. However, players on those deals can earn opportunities throughout the season. Cissoko, who was traded twice before the February deadline, played well against the Grizzlies, but he'll have to do a lot to crack a deep forward rotation in Portland. |
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Rayan Rupert Blazers pick up team option on Rayan Rupert
Sat, Jun 28, 2025, 9:54 AM
Sean Highkin
Blazers exercised the $2.2 million team option for Rayan Rupert.
Analysis: The 2023 second-round pick has flashed some upside throughout his first two seasons in the NBA, but he hasn't seen the floor much. At 21 years old, Rupert still has plenty of time to figure things out, but it is unlikely that his place in the rotation changes next season. He'll become a restricted free agent next summer. |
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Matisse Thybulle Matisse Thybulle opts into $11.5M player option
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 10:08 AM
Chris B. Haynes
NBA Insider Chris B. Haynes reports that Matisse Thybulle is opting into his $11.5 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign.
Analysis: Thybulle is in the final year of a three-year, $33 million deal he signed with Portland in 2023, and he'll be back for at least one more season. The French forward is a three-and-D specialist who holds much more value on the basketball court than he does in fantasy lineups. He can be left on the waiver wire in 2025-26 fantasy drafts. |
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Anfernee Simons Celtics trade for Anfernee Simons
Mon, Jun 23, 2025, 5:52 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Celtics have acquired Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
Analysis: Drafted by the Trail Blazers in 2018, Simons spent seven years in Portland and averaged between 17.3 and 22.6 points per game over the last four years. He's entering a situation with the Celtics where he could be asked to carry a high-usage role in the absence of Jayson Tatum. With Simons on an expiring contract, the Celtics made a low-risk move getting away from the $72 million owed to Holiday. The Celtics could remain active in the trade market, only adding to Simons' opportunity next year. Simons was ranked 110th in per game value on Basketball Monster last year. After playing a career-high 70 games last year, Simons could be set up for a career year with the Celtics. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton produces 20/5/6 line in final game
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 12:20 PM
Dalano Banton led the Blazers with 23 points (8-of-22 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal and four three-pointers against the Lakers on Sunday.
Analysis: Banton played well as the starting point guard for Portland over their final seven games of the season. During this stretch as a starter, he has scored at least 20 points four times. He was also able to match his season-high of 23 points, which he has done a surprising four times this season without ever scoring more. Banton has benefitted from the absences of Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson, and he is set to be a free agent this summer. He could find a new team where he can be the backup point guard, but it will be difficult for him to find a situation where he can start. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe out Sunday vs. LAL
Sun, Apr 13, 2025, 8:25 AM
Portland Trail Blazers
Deni Avdija (thumb) and Shaedon Sharpe (knee) are out against the Lakers on Sunday.
Analysis: Avdija was initially doubtful for Sunday's game, while Sharpe was questionable. Deni was one of the revelations of the fantasy basketball season, especially after moving into the starting lineup just after Christmas. From December 28 onward, he was a top-60 player in eight-cat formats. As for Sharpe, he remains a superior option for points league formats than category leagues, but his value increased after a knee injury sidelined Jerami Grant in early March. Kris Murray and Rayan Rupert should play significant minutes for Sunday's season finale. |
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Bryce McGowens Bryce McGowens (ribs) out Sunday vs. LA Lakers
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:48 PM
NBA Injury Report
Bryce McGowens (ribs) is out for Sunday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: McGowens, who's on a two-way contract, will miss Sunday's season finale with a fractured rib. His absence does not impact fantasy basketball but ensures that Rayan Rupert plays extended minutes off the bench. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija doubtful, Shaedon Sharpe questionable
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:45 PM
NBA Injury Report
Deni Avdija (thumb) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Lakers and Shaedon Sharpe (knee) is questionable.
Analysis: Sharpe has a better chance of being on the court for Sunday's season finale, with he and Avdija missing Friday's loss to the Warriors. Portland started Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray on the wings for that one, but both players offer limited offensive upside. Sunday could be a massive day for Sharpe if he's allowed to play, with Murray being the player most likely to head to the bench. |
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Jerami Grant Jerami Grant (knee) ruled out Sunday vs. Lakers
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:40 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jerami Grant (knee) is out for Sunday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: Grant's season has come to a disappointing end. He has not played in a game since March 9. The veteran forward finished the season as a 12th-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats, shooting 37.3 percent from the field and offering limited value outside of the points and three-point categories. Grant is not a player who should be selected with a top-100 draft pick next fall, whether you're talking points or category leagues. |
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Anfernee Simons Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson ruled out Sunday
Sat, Apr 12, 2025, 3:34 PM
NBA Injury Report
Anfernee Simons (forearm) and Scoot Henderson (concussion) are out against the Lakers on Sunday.
Analysis: Simons and Henderson will miss Portland's final game of the season, meaning Dalano Banton will remain in the starting lineup. He should be slotted into lineups in active fantasy leagues due to Portland's lack of options at point guard. While Simons finished the season as a ninth-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats, Henderson was ranked well outside the top-100 in both. Henderson's per-game value did improve compared to his rookie season, which is encouraging. But he remains a better option for points leagues than category leagues. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton goes 1-of-12 in loss to Warriors
Fri, Apr 11, 2025, 6:32 PM
Dalano Banton had three points (1-of-12 FGs), four rebounds, six assists and one block against the Warriors on Friday.
Analysis: Banton started and played 31 minutes Friday against the Warriors with Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson ruled out. The 25-year-old point guard is capable of big games when given the opportunity, but this certainly wasn't one of those. Banton couldn't get his shot to fall as he finished with three points on 1-of-12 shooting from the field. Portland finishes up the season Sunday with a matchup against the Lakers. While Banton could be in line for a similar workload, he's made it difficult to trust him on the final day of the season. |
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