AUGUST 6: Powell has officially signed the contract, according to a team press release.
“Re-signing Norm was a priority this offseason and we are pleased that he chose to make a long-term commitment to Portland,” president of basketball operations Neil Olshey said. “We look forward to him building off his career year and are confident he will play an integral role in the future success of our franchise.”
AUGUST 2: The Trail Blazers have struck a deal with their top free agent, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), who hears from agent Thaddeus Foucher that Norman Powell has agreed to a five-year, $90MM contract to remain in Portland.
Ahead of the 2021 free agency period, Powell decided to not exercise his $11.6MM player option for the 2021/22 season, confident (and rightfully so) that, as one of the best wings on the free agent market, he was in line for a major raise.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports adds (via Twitter) that the fully-guaranteed deal has no player options for the conclusion of the contract.
Powell was selected by the Raptors with the No. 46 pick out of UCLA in the 2015 draft. He won a title with the team in 2019. After spending his entire career in Toronto, the 6’3″ swingman was shipped to Portland in a deadline deal during the 2020/21 season.
With both clubs, Powell averaged 18.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, and 1.2 SPG across 32.0 MPG on the year. Powell, 28, will remain a key contributor as the small forward for the Trail Blazers.
His positional height deficiencies on the wing are not out-of-place in Portland, where he will line up next to the similarly-undersized 6’3″ shooting guard CJ McCollum.
Luke Adams contributed to this report.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
As a Knicks fan, I would have rather had Powell, especially at that price, than Fournier. Not disappointed with Fournier, though (he fills a need). Plus, Powell may have asked for more money from the Knicks.
Every reporter and espn Perkins gives Knicks A+
I give Knicks big F
Basically Knicks spent more money by trading Bullock for Fournier. That’s all for today
You can do much better than this, Knicks fans
That’s funny, the Athletic gave the signing a C-. I guess every reporter didn’t give them an A+.
I really like Fournier for the Knicks he brings the scoring that held then up against the Hawks.
Wonder what they do with C.J.? 4 of your top 5 players are 6’4″ and under and Nurkic is usually hurt.
I’d rather have Powell too on the Knicks but maybe Powell height was a factor. CJ should of been gone on draft night.
Cj will probably get traded in the coming days.
For who? Maybe Kevin Love or Wiggins?
It’s about same money as Fournier. I know Thibs liked Powell. They must have known he would resign. So went after Fournier. I like Fournier is who I’ve e always wanted. I’m ecstatic with him. His shooting will give RJ and Randle easier buckets. I think he helps our offense more than any FA. I’m a little worried about PG right now.
Rose starting next year and a step forward from Quickly could lead to them switching the next year. I’m a huge Bulls fan so I’m sure I am biased, but I truly believe Rose is a legitimate starting level PG in this league still especially when IQ needs minutes to develop
Rose is not starting. His strength is coming off the bench and providing depth. He’s best at 20-24 mins a gm. Imo Toppin and Quickley are now expandable. Luka and McBride are more true PGs. With Burkes and Grimes we don’t need Quickley. Both could be used to get a PG. Stay tuned….
Powell isn’t undersized for a SG. The opposite, he’s big, at least the way NBA teams measure players. He’s played more 3 than 2 in his career as a result. He is short (6’3″) for his size. But he’s very long (7 ft wingspan) and very strong (wiry 215) for a SG, and more than matches up on most SFs. CJM – unfortunately – is not similarly oversized.
Still, the Knicks signed Fournier for 3 years guaranteed. Blazers signed Powell for 5 years guaranteed. I’d rather have the Knicks’ Fournier contract.
Fournier is more a true wing than Powell. Powell a better defender. Fournier is listed 6’7”. He and RJ are interchangeable. Both can play 2 or 3. Been saying this for a long time here. Fournier is a good fit for this team. With Mitch in the middle. We don’t need lockdown players. Just play good team D. On Knicks Fournier will be looked on to shoot. He’s a better
Pure shooter than Powell. He’s been a shooter all his life. Fournier is the right guy. We will all see soon enough.
Good for him…
curious to see how they use these guys moving forward, as I think that even though he provides shooting next to their guards on the wing, and defends, it might make sense to bring someone off the bench b/c he is arguably better with the ball in his hands, and I feel like that was kind of a problem for them at times last year, after the trade especially, but even before that, and they seemed to fit better together when 1 of Lillard or McCollum was out, and a spot up shooter like Trent played next to one of the guards and their defensive wings