The Trail Blazers deadline addition of Raptors guard Norman Powell in exchange for a package that included Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood offers up a clouded forecast for Portland’s future. On paper, Powell figures to boost coach Terry Stotts’ options and rotations this season. By jettisoning Trent, Blazers President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey has effectively avoided a repeat of a Crabbe-esque restricted free agency saga.
That decision to punt on Trent’s restricted free agency might be the most noteworthy part of Thursday’s transaction. The potential framing for the 2021 offseason has completely shifted as a result.