Grading the Portland Trail Blazers offseason: From playoff exit to free agency
Re-signed Norman Powell – A
It’s not hard to see why this was an A. Norman Powell was as much of a major factor in Portland as he was in Toronto. I can almost guarantee that Damian Lillard would be a ghost from this team if Olshey had not re-signed Powell. His stats say a lot about why Portland re-signed him.
In 69 games, Powell averaged 18.6 points and 3.1 rebounds. per game (combined Raptors and Blazers). Only the team’s departing players had higher field goal percentages than Powell’s 48 percent. From beyond the arc, he hit 41 percent and went 87 percent from the line. So re-signing Powell was a no-brainer and a must.
Free agent G Norman Powell has agreed to a five-year, $90M deal to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent Thaddeus Foucher of @Wasserman tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 3, 2021
Free Agency: Players Leaving – C
Who do you get to replace Carmelo Anthony‘s shooting abilities or Enes Kanter‘s rebounding?
Carmelo Anthony, 37-years-old, Small/Power Forward
I know he’s 37, and his defense is all but non-existent. But he’s Carmelo Anthony! Last season Melo came off the bench in 69 of 72 games and averaged 13 points a game. He shot 42 percent from the field, 41 percent from three, and 90 percent from the free-throw line. Carmelo was second also in the league in mid-range points. That sweet mid-range jumper will be missed!
Enes Kanter, 29, Center
Kanter played in every game last season. His defense also needs work, but the man averaged 11 rebounds per game. He had the most rebounds in a game this season with 30. His field goal percentage was 60, and he shot 77 percent from the foul line. The big man was third in the league in offensive rebounds and third in second-chance points. His percentage of points in the paint is 84.
Zach Collins, 23, Power Forward/Center
He may be only 23, but Zach Collins is injury-laden. So moving on from him was a good decision.
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