Deni Avdija and the Washington Wizards were both in a slump after the mid-February All-Star break that sealed the fate of their seasons likely quickly coming to an end on April 9. In 13 games after All-Star, Avdija averaged 6.3 points on just 36 percent shooting and 25 percent from deep but to his credit did contribute 6 rebounds and nearly 3 assists per game. The Wizards have finally smartly embraced a tank for the rest of the season to improve draft lottery odds with multiple starters sitting out with injuries. That has allowed Avdija to play freely the last four games and the Israeli looks to have his swagger back, which would be a great way to end his third year in the NBA.

In matchups against Orlando, Denver, San Antonio, and Toronto, Avdija is averaging 16.8 points on 64 percent shooting (8/16 from 3), 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Yes, it is a small sample size against so-so competition meaning upcoming games against Boston, New York, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Miami will be better litmus tests. Still, you have to find the silver linings where you can if you are unfortunately a Wizards fan. Humble and grateful as always, Avdija thanked his teammates and coaches around him for getting out of his rut following Wednesday’s loss to the Nuggets.

“They just believe in me,” Avdija began. “Sometimes you feel like in bad stretches, nothing goes for you, everybody is against you, but your core, where you play, your coaches and teammates, they’re supporting you all the time. That’s something that is very important, especially for a young player like me growing and wants to get better. The environment is very important. I feel like my teammates do a great job of supporting me and I can’t thank them enough for that. They want me to be aggressive, they want me to be good, and they know how important I am for this team. I just love to see their support.”

On Sunday in Toronto, Avdija turned heads with a highlight behind-the-head pass to Kristaps Porzingis for an easy dunk in transition and then blew by excellent defender Pascal Siakam by using his left hand all the way to the rim. Choosing to ignore the previous underwhelming games, I will give the 22-year-old a 9 out of 10 rating over the last week, missing full marks because of 13 turnovers in four games.

Deni Avdija behind his head pass in transition for a Kristaps Porzingis dunk

Kyle Kuzma, Monte Morris, and the bench go crazypic.twitter.com/3s5reoSKvA

— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) March 26, 2023

“In my head, I felt more free,” Avdija told media after Monday’s practice about his. So when I go up and I see things and read things with my natural instincts. I wanted to go up for a layup, saw two of their guys committing, saw KP out of the corner of my eye and I decided to throw that pass. I feel like when I’m free and playing free, I’m not thinking too much, I’m capable of making nice plays and read defenses good so hopefully more of those to come.”

Deni Avdija drove left and finished with a dunk

Pascal Siakam probably like that wasn't on the scouting report pic.twitter.com/fE6XmvOKJp

— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) March 27, 2023

Washington has 7 games left in the 2022-23 season where the next season is thoroughly on the mind including the development of the team’s young talent starting with Avdija. The remaining stretch against more notable competition (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown first up) will certainly influence potential contract extension talks in the summer and fall. For now, enjoy the remaining basketball and Avdija’s below response on signing an autograph for a fan (unrelatedly) after meeting with the Serbian ambassador to the US on Wednesday.

“It’s great, that’s what it’s all about,” Avdija smiled. “Having people that support you that look up to you. I’m blessed that people are wearing my jersey and supporting me and want me to do better. There’s nothing else I can ask for in this life than other people actually look up to me. I’m doing my job, but the fact that people waking up, coming here, buy my jersey, spending their own money to do that, that’s a dream of mine when I grew up, and seeing that always makes me smile hopefully for the rest of my career.”