This year's NBA All-Star Weekend is expected to begin on Feb. 11, and the season's mid-season trade deadline is approaching. Although teams were short of manpower due to a large number of players triggering health and safety agreements, they did not give up adjusting the lineup and tried to change hands.
This morning, the news of a deal came: the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers reached an agreement to complete a six-man deal.
The deal was about the Clippers sending Bledsoe, Winslow, 21st rookie Keane Johnson in the first round of the year and a second-round pick for 2025 in exchange for Powell and Covington from the Trail Blazers.
Covington is a very good defensive striker, even in the small ball lineup topped the center position. Whether he was on the Rockets or the 76ers, Covington was a defensive player and practiced the ability to shoot three-pointers. Powell is a good scorer and has been tested in the Blazers.
From this point of view, the Clippers' deal is very specific to their own situation. Leonard and George were both sidelined with injuries, the Clippers' attacking power declined significantly, and the rotation of the front line was stretched. At this time, a defensive forward and a scoring guard were added, and the Clippers' gap was basically filled.
The Blazers made this deal, obviously at a loss, at least not in terms of immediate combat strength. Neither Bledsoe nor Winslow can bring direct help to this team, only to prepare for this summer's salary space. With such a consideration, the Blazers are clearly planning to start rebuilding, so there is no need for Lillard, who has been angry, to stay, perhaps his farewell is recent.