Clippers Pull Off Big Trade With Blazers For Powell, Covington

LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Covington, Norman Powell, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The action of the NBA trade deadline is officially upon us. While the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks got together late last month for a Cam Reddish deal, we have the first trade completed within the week of the actual Feb. 10 deadline.

As first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the LA Clippers have acquired Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, 2025 Second Round Pick (via DET).

The focus of this move for the Portland Trail Blazers was to move on Norman Powell’s contract amid the emergence of Anfernee Simons while Damian Lillard remains sidelined. Simons is averaging 22.8 points and 6.4 assists over his last 16 games while shooting 41.9% from three-point range on 10.4 attempts per game.

Robert Covington is on an expiring deal and it was clear he would be moved before the NBA trade deadline for weeks. The Trail Blazers took a major loss overall since acquiring him given they parted with two first-round picks in the trade with the Houston Rockets a few years ago.

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Even while Kawhi Leonard is expected to remain sidelined for the entirety of the 2021-22 season, the Clippers intended to use the NBA trade deadline to better position themselves for next season. While Covington will not be under contract, Powell is the focus of the deal.

Powell has averaged 18.6 points per game while shooting 40.9% from deep over his last two seasons combined. Something to take into consideration is that he was teammates with Kawhi Leonard during the Toronto Raptors’ successful championship run back during the 2019 NBA Finals.

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In order to pull off the trade with the Trail Blazers, the Clippers had to be willing to pay a premium in luxury tax. As reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the team will owe $112.9 million in luxury tax penalties—an increase of $19 million as a result of this trade.

The Portland Trail Blazers liked what they saw in Keon Johnson during the 2021 NBA Draft process and he could receive opportunity to play while Damian Lillard remains sidelined. Not only will the Blazers be under the luxury tax for this season, but contract of Eric Bledsoe guarantees only $3.9 million of the $19.4 million he would otherwise earn in 2022-23—creating a pathway for the Blazers to clear significant salary cap spending obligations.

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The LA Clippers fully intent to continue doing what it takes to contend for a championship with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Despite being exhausted of first-round picks, getting creative in trades like this one helps, but ultimately Clippers owner Steve Ballmer being willing to pay such massive luxury tax premiums is what makes it all possible.

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