Ja Morant’s playmaking is already making Deni Avdija more efficient for Blazers

Reese Kunz of Rip City Project writes that Ja Morant's playmaking is already elevating Deni Avdija's scoring efficiency for the Portland Trail Blazers. In Portland's 123-118 preseason victory over the Golden State Warriors, Avdija scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting across 21 minutes. The performance highlighted how the team's revamped backcourt can alleviate offensive pressure from Avdija following his offseason recovery from a lingering back injury.

While noting the Warriors played a depleted lineup, Kunz argues that Morant's vision and Portland's added ballhandlers effectively created easy fast-break rim opportunities for Avdija. Head coach Micah Nori continues to fine-tune the rotation ahead of Portland's next game against the London Lions on Monday, October 12.