Does this trade make sense for the Portland Trail Blazers?

Trading Norman Powell could very much make sense for the Trail Blazers this season in attempts to cut their payroll down tremendously. 

However, they obviously would like to keep Powell long-term after giving him a five-year contract this past offseason and there is very little value for them to bring back in a trade with the Pelicans. 

Unless someone like Josh Hart was being traded to Portland, they would most likely turn down this offer. Tomas Satorasnky is a “salary filler” that would hold no role in Portland and while Jaxson Hayes is a young, athletic big man that could wind up replacing Jusuf Nurkic in the frontcourt, his value is very little right now as well. 

Getting two 2022 second-round picks gives Portland some draft compensation that they do not currently have, which is somewhat valuable, but then a 2023 first-round pick swap with the Lakers really does not do the Blazers any good. 

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Portland is in a spot where a rebuild is inevitable, but this does not mean that they should look to trade away anyone and everyone. Moving both Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington at the trade deadline would not only take the Trail Blazers below the tax line on the season, but they should be able to get a return of at least two first-round picks and a young talent for both of them combined. 

Norman Powell may not have a bunch of suitors at this trade deadline, but there is no rush for the Blazers to try and trade him away right now.