CBS Sports has ranked Deni Avdija's contract with the Portland Trail Blazers as the top deal in the NBA, citing its descending structure and low salary relative to his All-Star performance. The 25-year-old forward is earning $14.4 million this season while averaging strong numbers in points, rebounds, and assists. This bargain deal highlights the importance of smart contract negotiations in the current CBA environment.
In a recent analysis by CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn, the 15 best contracts in the NBA were ranked, emphasizing factors like average annual value, length, age, guarantees, durability, portability, and structure. Deni Avdija tops the list with a total owed of $25,000,000 over the remaining years. Currently in his first season with the Portland Trail Blazers after a trade, Avdija is making $14.4 million, which Quinn compares to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception of around $14.1 million. The contract descends by $1.25 million annually, dropping to $13.1 million next season and $11.9 million in 2027-28, projected to be less than 7% of the salary cap—potentially near Avdija's peak at age 28.
Quinn describes it as 'an all-time NBA contract if he keeps playing at this level,' drawing parallels to Stephen Curry's rookie extension, where Curry earned $12.1 million in its final year. Avdija's deal, acquired via trade, provides a cornerstone young player at a historically low price. However, its structure makes extension challenging; even with a maximum 40% raise, a new deal would start near mid-level money, requiring Portland to clear significant cap space amid existing commitments to players like Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday.
Blazer's Edge notes Avdija's breakout season, averaging 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, earning his first All-Star nomination. The ranking underscores how the 2023 CBA's restrictions on spending, luxury taxes, and trade rules have elevated contract negotiation in team-building. Other notable deals include Jalen Johnson at No. 2 with a flat $30 million per year over four years for the Atlanta Hawks, and Jalen Brunson at No. 3, the only franchise player below max salary besides rookies, with the New York Knicks. Alperen Sengun ranks fifth for the Houston Rockets, negotiated below max after a tense extension process. These contracts exemplify how efficient deals contribute to contending rosters in an era where depth and affordability are crucial.