As the 2022 deal deadline approaches, the Trail Blazers and Clippers took the lead in closing a deal. In this deal, the Blazers are to save money, retain people and make room, and the Clippers have added immediate combat power, and both sides can be said to take what they need.
Today, the Clippers reportedly sent Bledsoe, Winslow and 21st pick in the 2021 first round rookie Keane Johnson, from the Blazers to Norman Powell and Covington. The deal is the first shot for this year's deal deadline.
According to Washington Post reporter Ben Golliver, Blazers interim general manager Joe Cronin made it very clear. The Trail Blazers promised the deal to free up salary space in order to create more opportunities for this year's deal deadline and beyond.
At the same time, Cronin also made no secret of saying that Anfini Simmons, who was strong in the team's injured camp this season, "is already one of our cores" and wants to create space for his take-off. And Simmons' contract expires this year, and the Blazers naturally plan to keep him. As for rookie Johnson, he is known for his defensive skills, but his evaluation in the league is polarized, but his potential is still exploitable.
The Clippers introduced immediate combat power. Powell came to the Blazers from the Raptors midway through last season and averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season, shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range. Powell is a scoring streaker, will be a musket on the bench, and the Clippers have improved the backcourt. Covington's defensive prowess, flexible positioning and even the ability to play as a small-ball center are another piece of insurance for the Clippers' flanks.
Although it is only a mediocre deal, and there are no big names among the players involved, it can glimpse the minds of the senior management of the two teams and find answers to the questions that are difficult to answer in the near future.
The question for the Blazers is whether to rebuild this season or continue to compete for the playoffs. And from the perspective of making room and saving money now (the Blazers no longer need to pay taxes after the deal, the Clippers' luxury tax has increased to 112.9 million) and the introduction of rookies, the Blazers may not say anything, but their hearts may be inclined to rebuild, even if Cronin insisted yesterday that the Blazers never wanted to tear down the rebuild.
The question for the Clippers is whether the Cacho group is recuperating or making a comeback this season. Of the two people introduced, Covington's contract expires this year, but Powell's contract doesn't expire until 2026. There's no doubt that the Clippers still want immediate combat, and that suggests that the Cacho duo is likely to make a comeback this season. The Clippers prepared the supporting roles first, only waiting for the 2 protagonists to appear.
Did things go as we expected? See. (Supine Braces/Hairy)