{"id":96374,"date":"2023-10-05T07:59:23","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T07:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/?p=96374"},"modified":"2024-11-03T09:31:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T09:31:09","slug":"deni-avdija-enters-contract-year-hungry-to-succeed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsrabbi.com\/en\/deni-avdija-enters-contract-year-hungry-to-succeed\/","title":{"rendered":"Deni Avdija Enters Contract Year ‘Hungry to Succeed’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Washington Wizards have undergone immense change since the end of last season. Owner Ted Leonsis made a surprise decision to relieve Tommy Sheppard of his front office duties, but seemingly hit a lottery with the triumvirate of Michael Winger, Will Dawkins, and Travis Schlenk that rationally brought the Bradley Beal era to a close. As Deni Avdija enters his fourth season in the NBA, the last of his rookie contract unlikely to be extended in the next couple weeks by a front office that did not draft him, he is eager to prove his worth.<\/p>\n

“A lot of working out, taking care of my body, making sure I improved what I wanted to improve. And have some time to enjoy, family, friends, spend some time on the beach,” Avdija described his first healthy offseason in his NBA career. “I focused on being more consistent in my shooting. It\u2019s not a secret I want to improve my shooting percentage and definitely be a more efficient shooter from outside the arc. Going both directions [off the dribble]. I became really good at going right, I still have some things to improve [motioning his left hand], adding another side to go to really going to make defenders wonder.”
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Deni Avdija – Photo credit: Washington Wizards<\/p><\/div>
\nAvdija, 22, gave the politically correct response about going into a season with so much financially on the line. Having seen so much turnover in the organization during his short time in the NBA, it is clear Avdija is aware he might not be in Washington D.C. this time next year (or even in five months) based on the last sentence in his response to the Sports Rabbi’s question on impending free agency.<\/p>\n

“For now just focusing on working out, meet my new teammates, and just being Deni, do what I do,” Avdija smoothly manuevered. “Be vocal on the court, showing good stuff in practice, put in extra work and I think everything is going to take care of itself. I don\u2019t want to focus on stuff that I don\u2019t need to focus right now. If good things happen, good things happen. Obviously I love DC, but we\u2019ll see what happens.”<\/p>\n

Even though the new Washington front office does not have ties to Avdija, both Michael Winger<\/a> <\/strong>and Will Dawkins<\/a><\/strong> were complimentary of him during their introductory press availability in June. Dawkins further endorsed Avdija’s offseason diligence last week and Winger emphasized that all returning players are being given a clean canvas to make the most of. During the offseason, assistant coach Zach Guthrie and player development trainer Joe Ajike spent time with Avdija in Israel, which the latter was deeply appreciative of.<\/p>\n

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Wizards GM Will Dawkins on Deni Avdija<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really invested in his body this summer and really invested with the team. We\u2019ve had a lot of people travel to go visit him and just spend time with him. He spent time in D.C. this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Notes good relationship with Deni\u2019s agent. pic.twitter.com\/tnjWghtoWI<\/a><\/p>\n

— Neil Dalal (@NeilDalal96) September 27, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n