Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that Norman Powell will decline his 2021-2022 player option with the Portland Trail Blazers and become an unrestricted free agent.
Portland guard Norman Powell tells @YahooSports he is declining his $11.6 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent and the Trail Blazers are making the high-flyer their top priority. https://t.co/ms0aBmdx8s
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 20, 2021
This may seem like bad news at first, but in reality, the Portland Trail Blazers expected Norm to become a free agent this offseason as he’s certainly outplayed the $11.6 million he was set to make with his option.
In his report, Haynes also states that the Blazers have made re-signing Powell their top priority for this offseason. Since Portland retains his Bird rights, they have the ability to match and trump any offer the guard may receive in free agency, so there’s no reason to expect him not to suit up for the Blazers next season. Norm is still young enough that financial security should be of utmost importance in regards to his next contract.
Re-signing Norman Powell is absolutely imperative for the rest of the Portland Trail Blazers offseason
It’s encouraging to hear that the Blazers brass has made retaining Powell their top priority as the fate of the rest of the offseason depends on it. Keeping Norm makes it much easier to find a trade partner for CJ McCollum as the two play the same position. With Powell re-inked, the Blazers can move McCollum for the best possible return regardless of what spot the incoming assets play in.
NBA teams have learned by now that retaining the asset is always the smartest move. Regardless of team fit or financial situation, keeping the piece gives the organization options and prevents them from losing a contributor for nothing.
For example, if Norm re-signs and it turns out not to be a great fit, the Blazers can still move him after the trade exception date of December 15th and receive assets in return. If he just outright signs with another team this offseason, Portland will technically have traded Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood for a half-season of Powell’s services.
We can expect Norm to command a contract in the Zach LaVine–Malik Beasley range for around $15-20 million per year. The Blazers should not hesitate to match any offer that hits Powell’s table this summer.
For more reasons why it’s imperative that Portland re-signs him, click here.