The Portland Trail Blazers send Norman Powell to the Boston Celtics
Why the Trail Blazers do it:
In this move, the Portland Trail Blazers turn one plus-defender into two. Marcus Smart comes in to lock down opposing guards and provide a steady hand as a playmaker off of the pine. The Trail Blazers neither promised Smart a larger role nor did they trade a young prospect for him — so it will be much easier to have him come in off of the bench than it would have been to ask Powell to do the same.
Smart provides some of the visceral intensity and nasty that’s been sorely lacking from the Trail Blazers locker room all season. Presumably, the Trail Blazers will look to move both Powell and McCollum, so having Smart as the third guard would be the perfect situation for both team and player.
Grant Williams can play the role that Head Coach Chauncey Billups tried to shoehorn Larry Nance Jr. into — a 3-and-D power forward who can also moonlight as a small-ball five.
He’s hit over 100 threes since the start of the 2020-2021 NBA season at a 39 percent clip.
Lastly, the Blazers grab a lottery-protected first-rounder to add to their war chest.
Why the Celtics do it:
The Boston Celtics are severely lacking a few things in their roster construction: veteran leadership, reliable perimeter shooting, and steady playmaking.
While Powell isn’t exactly a vocal leader, he does bring plenty of playoff experience and work ethic that may rub off on the Celtics’ egotistical youngsters.
Norm hasn’t proven to be much of a passer, but it’s not because he’s unwilling. He has the ability to put his head down and collapse the defense and with Boston’s talent waiting on the wings, should be able to supplement some offense off of drive-and-kicks.
It’s a given that he’ll improve the Cs middling numbers from beyond the arc.
If Boston intends to be buyers rather than sellers this season, they’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the Blazers can offer.