What the Norman Powell trade means for the New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly shopping for talent at the trade deadline, but one potential target is off the market.
Norman Powell and Robert Covington of the Trail Blazers were traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round draft pick.
I was actually shocked at how little it took to get those two players and wondered why the New Orleans Pelicans weren’t involved, as they almost certainly could have beat that offer for Powell, who I thought would be a great fit.
The New Orleans Pelicans could have offered more for Norman Powell
Powell immediately showed his value for the Clippers, scoring 28 in an eventual loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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He is the type of guy who can thrive off the ball as a secondary option and occasionally take a game over, so I thought he’d be a nice fit with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. He is also on a reasonable contract, so I am not sure why the Pels didn’t get in on this one (more on that later).
The Clippers essentially got two productive players for nothing, as the three guys they gave up are either not playing well or not playing at all, and the 2025 2nd-round pick is virtually worthless.
The Pels could have offered a similar or better package of players and picks but chose not to, which could give us a clue about the future.