Portland Trail Blazers get Norman Powell in deadline deal. More moves coming?
Before the NBA’s trade deadline Thursday afternoon, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Norman Powell from Toronto for Rodney Hood and Gary Trent Jr. Powell fills a role neither of them could.
The NBA trade deadline has come and gone. The Portland Trail Blazers made a move. They traded swingman Rodney Hood and guard Gary Trent Jr. to the Toronto Raptors for guard/forward Norman Powell. This wasn’t the blockbuster or big-name player deal that many, myself included, hoped the Blazers would make. But it is a trade that should help the team.
Let’s dig into this deal and examine it. At first glance, some might say why? Is Powell that much better than Hood and GTJ? Upon review, the answer is yes but only slightly. This is a short-term pseudo-all-in move. Moving the two Dukies is also a positive. Hood is a moody, malcontent streaky shooter. He once refused to enter in a game when he was in Cleveland.
Trent, for his part, is having his best year yet, averaging 15.0 points in 30.8 minutes per game. Even so, it still leaves something to be desired.
My colleague Teresa Powe was shocked by this trade. Especially since GTJ stepped up while CJ McCollum was out. As previously mentioned, Trent is having his best year. However, while CJ was out the Portland Trail Blazers success hinged solely on Damian Lillard. McCollum’s absence meant Dame logged heavy minutes to help keep the Blazers afloat. So at his best, Trent couldn’t lighten the scoring load.
Just look back to the beginning of the year when Dame wasn’t up to normal Dame standards. There were several games where CJ carried the Blazers to a victory. Did GTJ ever do that? Nope, he can’t carry a team at this point in his career.