"The Blazers, of course, have every incentive to retain their newly acquired wing. They sacrificed the right to match any of Trent's offer sheets in restricted free agency, betting that their on-court success and Lillard-driven locker room will urge Powell to stay put even as an unrestricted free agent.
"Knowing what Portland gave up and how many suitors there were, I think he's the most interesting guy on the market," said another Western Conference team official.
The success of this latest iteration of the Blazers' experiment will undoubtedly set the tone for how Powell moves forward. Over a dozen teams maintained a dialogue with
Toronto up until the final hours before the trade deadline, league sources said. (Brooklyn was discussing a deal centered on Spencer Dinwiddie all of that week. The
Pistons were also in strong pursuit, and the
Pacers,
Timberwolves,
Rockets and Knicks were among the teams closely monitoring Powell's availability as well.)
It seems such widespread interest scared off many teams from bidding too aggressively for Powell. That naturally forecasts what could be a very competitive landscape for Powell's services next season and beyond.
Part of the Blazers' calculus in swapping Trent for Powell was projecting their former second-round pick's next salary to average around $15 million annually, only for Trent to largely play backup minutes to McCollum. Powell's number is expected to be around $20 million, according to league sources polled by B/R, yet he's played as the Blazers' third starting guard, capable of defending opposing small forwards.
But what if some team with cap space, perhaps the
New York Knicks, were to extend a significantly higher offer? "The Powell numbers might get crazy," said one Western Conference voice. Tom Thibodeau has long been considered to covet Powell, and the Knicks could offer him a four-year agreement north of $100 million if they choose.
"As the saying goes, it only takes one assh--e," said one team cap expert.
If Powell does stay, that creates another potential pivot point for Portland's Lillard-centered project. Perhaps Powell finally provides the insurance and flexibility for the Blazers to explore moving McCollum for a player who's a better fit for Lillard's second act.
That's getting a bit ahead of ourselves. But that's why the Powell addition may be as interesting as any in the league, this side of the
Nuggets making their own move to add Gordon. The Blazers are holding onto a top-six playoff seed all while injuries have clearly prevented Terry Stotts' roster from throwing its strongest punch.
Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic have only appeared in 18 games and played 332 total minutes together,
per NBA.com. Lillard, Covington and Derrick Jones Jr., by comparison, have logged 772.
If Portland can stay healthy, the question becomes whether a refortified rotation can boost the Blazers from Western Conference irritant to bona fide contender.
"I feel like they're always the same team," said another assistant general manager. "They can lose in the first round or they can get lucky or hot and make the conference finals."
Should these latest moves change that perception and introduce a greater ceiling for Portland's reality, maybe Lillard's title window opens wider—before it inevitably slams shut."
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2939898-inside-portlands-plot-to-salvage-damian-lillards-prime