5-for-1 Trade! Blazers Score a Massive Deal! NBA's Best "Child Labor" Contract Emerges

Amazing~

In the play-in game, Avdija shot 15 out of 22, scoring 41 points with an impressive ~68% shooting rate, plus 12 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, leading the Trail Blazers to a 114-110 road victory over the Suns. They will now face the Western Conference's second-seeded Spurs as the seventh seed.

In the three regular-season games against the Spurs this season, Avdija averaged 31.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8 assists, with a shooting percentage of 55% and a three-point shooting rate of 53%. The Spurs' defensive efficiency this season was 110.4, ranking third in the league, behind only the Thunder (106.5) and the Pistons (108.9).

Statistics show that since the NBA play-in games began, only five players have scored 40+ points in a single game: Tatum with 50 points (2021), Coby White with 42 points (2024), Zion with 40 points (2024), Anthony Davis with 40 points (2025), and Avdija with 41 points (2026).

What makes the Blazers management even more thrilled is that Avdija's salary this season is $14.38 million, with a total of approximately $25 million over the next two seasons, making it a "child labor contract" and arguably the most cost-effective player in the league today.

The question arises: how did Portland acquire this affordable and high-performing treasure player?

In the summer of 2024, the Trail Blazers sent Brogdon, the No. 14 pick Carlton, a 2029 first-round pick, and two second-round picks to the Wizards to acquire Avdija.

In the 23-24 season, Avdija averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists for the Wizards. Although he showed considerable potential at that time, nobody expected him to soar after being traded to the Blazers. This season (regular season averages: 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists) he has evolved into a full All-Star caliber player, even potentially making the All-NBA team this year.

Of course, Avdija's current success is directly linked to the trust given by the Blazers coaching staff, led by Splitter. This season, he is the team's undisputed primary ball-handler, with a usage rate of 28.5% ranking 15th in the league—a mutually beneficial relationship.

Finally, congratulations once again to the Trail Blazers for returning to the playoffs after five years.