It is becoming clearer that the Toronto Raptors have to do something before this year’s fast-approaching trade deadline. They’re hitting new lows with each embarrassing loss after the next, and hopes of the playoffs continue to fade away. Selling a player like Norman Powell could help, especially with teams like the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets interested in him.
Powell, who’s having a career year due to his 19.5 points per game average, could drastically improve the fortunes of a competing playoff team. Powell’s numbers have been off the charts and his confidence is through the roof, so much so that you could say he’s playing at a borderline All-Star level and no one would think you’re crazy.
From the Raptors perspective, Powell could garner a ton of assets in return and his contract is still relatively small and easy to maneuver into a potential trade.
The Knicks come to mind as a destination that makes a lot of sense, as they have enough draft capital and young players to make a move given their sudden rise into the playoff picture.
We can’t let Kyle Lowry, Norman Powell, and/or Masai Ujiri leave for nothing.
— Chris Walder (@WalderSports) March 23, 2021
Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol already did.
This Raptors-Knicks Norman Powell trade helps out Toronto
On the surface, it looks like the Knicks would be giving up quite a lot here, but keep in mind that Powell is a legit second option on offense for a team that lacks scoring beyond Julius Randle. He would slide in next to RJ Barrett to take the pressure off of him, and is good enough defensively to fit in with how Tom Thibodeau likes to play.
Over the last two months, Powell is averaging almost 24 points per game on 45% from three. That type of scoring could help a Knicks team that is just a game back of fourth in the East make the postseason for the first time in almost a decade.
As for the Raptors go, they get to recoup an asset that they probably won’t be able to afford anyways when he’s up for extension at the end of the season. Toppin hasn’t been great so far in his NBA career, but he was a lottery pick less than a year ago. With his elite athleticism, it’s clear there’s something there.
The thought of what Nick Nurse and the Raptors’ top-notch development system could do if they got their hands on a blue-chipper like Toppin could be very enticing. If any team is going to get the most out of him, it’s Toronto.
Getting Noel could give the Raptors a starting center that is actually, get this, a true center! Not a power forward like Pascal Siakam playing out of position. Throw in a good old pick swap in 2022, and this is a done deal.
Powell has been the Raptors’ best player this season, so it would be difficult to see him go. However, at this point in his career, and with the current state of the franchise, it would be smarter to sell him while his value is high. He also would only be helping the team win in the short term, in a year where it’s becoming increasingly clear that tanking is the best option.
A young piece and a pick is what the Raptors most likely covet in return for their budding star, time will tell if that comes to fruition by the time the trade deadline hits on Thursday afternoon.