10 Worst Portland Trail Blazers moves of the Joe Cronin era

2. Powell and Covington trade

Norman Powell signed a five-year $90 million extension with the Trail Blazers in the 2021 offseason before being traded to the Clippers at the 2022 deadline. It was not a great look for general manager Joe Cronin and the haul he got back made it even worse.

Portland gave up two first-round picks to get Covington in 2020 and just over one year later he was traded with a wing that averaged 18.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 steals during his 67 games with the Trail Blazers for virtually a second-round pick. Powell is the Clippers’ sixth man and a key contributor that would be traded for more than a second-round pick right now.

Eric Bledsoe never played for Portland. Keon Johnson averaged 10 minutes per game in his second season, but it is too early to write him off completely. Justise Winslow struggled to stay healthy and played just 40 games in Portland over the next year plus.

Without Johnson becoming a starter and key contributor, this looks like an awful trade for Portland where they shipped out two capable rotation pieces for one second-round pick. Yes, Covington fell out of the Clippers’ rotation last season, but the 6’7 forward can still space the floor and make an impact in the right role.

Consider this trade a disaster, but one the Portland Trail Blazers have already paid for. The top move on this list still has the rent due.