Woj: Blazers “Very Active” on Trade Market, Powell & Oladipo Potential Targets

The Trail Blazers have emerged as one of the teams that are actively pursuing deals as the NBA Trade Deadline approaches. During an ESPN special focused on the deadline, Adrian Wojnarowski explained to Zach Lowe that he believes that the Blazers have been busy in recent days.

Along with hinting at Portland’s overall activity, Wojnarowski listed Norman Powell and Victor Oladipo as potential targets for the Blazers.

“I think Portland has been very active. They’ve used some picks in some trades here in the last several months—the Robert Covington deal with Houston that they did before the season. But this is a team in Portland that, as you said, as they start to get their guys back, I think you look at those perimeter players out there. A Norman Powell, even Oladipo—on a rental. They have the assets in Portland if they decide that they want to get involved, especially with someone in a rental situation.”

Wojnarowski went on to highlight the young players that the Blazers could include in a potential trade. But he also suggested that Portland might not want to cut ties with an up-and-coming rotation player.

In regards to the players Wojnarowski mentioned, Powell is in the middle of a career-best season. The former UCLA standout is averaging 19.5 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting from the field. Powell is set to earn $10.8 million this year and is under contract through the 2021-22 season. It is important to note that final year of Powell’s current contract features a player option.

Oladipo, who arrived in Houston as part of the James Harden trade, is averaging 21.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game with the Rockets. The former Hoosiers star is on an expiring $21 million contract.