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The NBA trade deadline is right around the corner and teams around the league are searching for ways to improve their rosters. The latest name to hit the rumor mill is Norman Powell of the Toronto Raptors. With the Raptors currently in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, the chances of making the postseason are becoming bleaker.
The organization is likely looking to secure a draft pick, or a young player to help rebuild the roster. Powell is having a career year, averaging 19.6 points, 1.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Due to his excellent play, he's become a potential trade target for playoff-caliber teams, per Sports Illustrated.
At some point before Thursday's NBA trade deadline, it's “close to inevitable” the Raptors will trade the 27-year-old Powell, Sportsnet's Michael Grange told Bob McCowan on The Bob McCowan Podcast.
It's a trade the Raptors don't seem to want to make, as his scoring has been essential to the team this year. With that said, this front office already has multiple players locked up for years. This means they probably don't have the finances to bring him back next season, according to All Raptors Staff.
“However, the team already has Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby locked up long-term, and signing Powell to a multi-year contract with an average annual value of approximately $20 million per season would lock up a sizeable portion of Toronto's cap space into a group that hasn't proven to be title contenders without another superstar.”
Norman Powell seems to be out of the door already, however, it is yet to be seen which organization goes through with a trade. Look for the Brooklyn Nets to possibly make an offer, as they've been in the search to upgrade their depth.
