TRADE: RoCo+Powell to LAC | Winslow+Johnson+2nd to POR

[dirkfansince1998]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1489681792881860620

[SatnamSingh]

Keon Johnson was the 21st pick this year.

So this seems like Josh Green level prospect and a bunch of junk for Roco and Powell.

WOW

[dirkfansince1998]

What am I missing. This is horrible for the Blazers. Would have guessed that both guys have positive value (maybe even a later first). Winslow and Bledsoe on the other hand with negative value. Don´t know a thing about Johnson but his numbers are bad.

[SatnamSingh]

What am I missing. 

Hah that was my first reaction as I furiously googled Keon Johnson.

[dirkfansince1998]

More coming in the next few days? A vet PG like Bledsoe next to Lillard and McCollum makes no sense. Is Dame finally done with the Blazers front office or are they getting rid of McCollum as well?

[MrGoat]

It looks like Portland's getting ready to blow it up. You figure they could have gotten more for Powell and Roco though

[SwisherPrice]

The Blazers are done...Got 10 years out of Lillard, that is more than any small market team can expect in today's league. They will now join the list of all of the other teams that have been rebuilding forever like the Kings and Magic.

[omahen]

This is an A+ trade for Clippers. Both players very useful for them, both players by fast best players in the deal and they got them for a B prospect and a SRP. When Kawhi and George come back, this will be a very deep team.

[Dirknows]

Norman Powell is in the first year of a 5/90 contract, Portland just wanted to dump it as they appear headed for a rebuild.

[omahen]

Norman Powell is in the first year of a 5/90 contract, Portland just wanted to dump it as they appear headed for a rebuild.

I don't think that is really what rebuilding teams do. Rebuilding teams sell players that bring assets. They don't need to dump him, they can keep him, pump his value and trade him later. I would rather keep Powell than get 20 mil of Bledsoe for another season.

[SkenfromLMF]

Did this duck the Luxury Tax because that would be the only piece that makes sense.

[Chicagojk]

It sounds like Leonard isn't coming back this year and Paul George could be out the rest of the season as well (at least that is what I read somewhere).

But next year, Clippers could be the favorite if Leonard returns to form.    Either Powell starts in a super small but flexible lineup or he is a high priced sixth man.    I could see either.

Roco is a free agent and Batum has a real player option that he will decline.   I can't see them keeping both, maybe not either.   I would be fine with either for the Mavs if they were willing to use their MLE.   I am less of a fan of Roco than most.

Keon Johnson was a lightning rod pick.  Great athlete, not a good basketball player.   Portland has had some luck developing those guys.  

I would be sniffing around Nurkic in a buy low deal...even if I am not sure he will work out here.

---

I don't think that is really what rebuilding teams do. Rebuilding teams sell players that bring assets. They don't need to dump him, they can keep him, pump his value and trade him later. I would rather keep Powell than get 20 mil of Bledsoe for another season.

Oh wow...Bledsoe has another year left on his contract?  Ouch.  Actually, I think when he was in Memphis they were saying his last year is only guaranteed for a few million.    Not sure though.  If not, that is really not a smart move.

[omahen]

Did this duck the Luxury Tax because that would be the only piece that makes sense.

I think it does, they were just roughly 3 mil over.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Clippers feel they have a shot as a playoff team, not a play-in team.  Despite all the injuries, Ty Lue has done yeoman's work with that roster.

[omahen]

Clippers still don't have a PG they look for, but their overall amount of talent is crazy. As is their luxury tax bill

[Chicagojk]

Clippers still don't have a PG they look for, but their overall amount of talent is crazy. As is their luxury tax bill

Bobby Marks says their tax bill goes from 93 million to 112 million.

So how about we take Ibaka into our TPE.  They they trade us Batum for Trey Burke.  Then we tell Toronto we will release Ibaka if they release Dragic.  LOL.

[SleepingHero]

How the hell couldn't the Mavs match that..........

HOW do the Clips keep getting these steals?

---

What am I missing. This is horrible for the Blazers. Would have guessed that both guys have positive value (maybe even a later first). Winslow and Bledsoe on the other hand with negative value. Don´t know a thing about Johnson but his numbers are bad.

I am SHOCKED

---

I would be sniffing around Nurkic in a buy low deal...even if I am not sure he will work out here.

If RoCo and Powell went for a late 1st prospect and some junk then Nurkic has to be available for a 2nd rounder.

[omahen]

So how about we take Ibaka into our TPE. 

Dumping Ibaka would likely cost 2 second rounders or so. Still better than doing nothing with the TPE, which will be likely outcome for the Mavs. And leaving jokes aside, Ibaka might actually help a bit as a back up PF.

---

How the hell couldn't the Mavs match that..........

We have no use for Powell. 

HOW do the Clips keep getting these steals?

I guess their FO is good and the owner doesn't seem to care about lux tax

If RoCo and Powell went for a late 1st prospect and some junk then Nurkic has to be available for a 2nd rounder.

Probably. But I don't really see the need on Mavs with all the centre we have, and Portland would likely require an expiring contract.

[SleepingHero]

Probably. But I don't really see the need on Mavs with all the centre we have, and Portland would likely require an expiring contract.

This team needs a talent upgrade from anywhere. Getting Nurkic on the cheap is exactly what we should be aiming for.

I guess their FO is good and the owner doesn't seem to care about lux tax

Very true. The fact that Ballmer has the net worth to buy every single NBA team and still have several billion left over means he can pay whatever he wants. 

We have no use for Powell. 

Disagree for the same reasons for getting Nurkic. Mavs need talent. Powell is talent. But really, I don't really care for Powell. RoCo was the guy I wanted and to see him be essentially a throw in hurts. He would've been a great guy to add next to DFS.

---

Dumping Ibaka would likely cost 2 second rounders or so. Still better than doing nothing with the TPE, which will be likely outcome for the Mavs. And leaving jokes aside, Ibaka might actually help a bit as a back up PF.

I like this idea. Especially if the Clips pay a little something to make it happen.

[omahen]

Excellent piece about the trade. Short recap:
- Portland traded to get out of 2023 tax. More moves (McCullom) in a similar manner coming? Mentions Pelicans, their expiring contracts like Sato and probably picks as an option.
- Clippers traded for next year. Covington might be kept or traded, depending how they value his bird rights


John Hollinger’s Clippers-Blazers trade takeaways: Future taxes, 2023 death lineups, CJ McCollum and more – The Athletic