Blazers Notes: Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson, Tiago Splitter

Deni Avdija is playing the best basketball of his career, and he knows exactly what people are saying about that contract.

The sixth-year forward is posting career highs across the board, checking in at 26.2 points and 6.9 assists per game, and doing it with confidence that jumps off the screen. It has turned his four-year, $55 million extension into one of the friendlier deals in the league. He signed it for security, not headlines.

“It gave me a lot of calmness, because I know I’m secure,” Avdija said, via Jason Quick of The Athletic. “That was my goal.”

Avdija said his agent pushed for a shorter deal, but the forward was comfortable betting on himself later rather than chasing every dollar now.

“If I outplay my contract, I outplay my contract,” Avdija said. “We will deal with that later. I’m not going to worry about $10 million more or $20 million less.

“This is what I got, and I’m going to say thank you and not take it for granted. It’s still a lot of money.”

Scoot still sidelined, but moving

Scoot Henderson has yet to appear this season after tearing his left hamstring, and no return date has been set. Still, there was at least some visual progress this week.

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reported Henderson was spotted running full-court sprints following Tuesday’s practice.

Interim coach Tiago Splitter urged patience, and caution.

“He is progressing,” Splitter said. “Everybody’s a little bit frustrated about this, but it’s a tough injury.”

Splitter also emphasized the long view.

“He’s a big part of our franchise,” Splitter said. “We’ve got to protect him. I think we’re doing the right thing and he’s feeling better day by day.”