Hardwood Houdini
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Boston Celtics: 5 free agents to pursue from the Northwest division

By Nick Swanson

May 2, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) works the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell (24) in the fist quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) works the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Norman Powell (24) in the fist quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers – Norman Powell, SG/SF

It took a couple of seasons, but Norman Powell has finally taken the next step in his NBA career and looks to be a serious offensive threat in the NBA. Very similarly to Gary Trent Jr, with who he will be forever linked because of the trade, Powell appears to have become a near-elite offensive playmaker.

Powell probably isn’t ever going to be the number one option for a team but when he’s on the court he’s almost guaranteed to touch the ball every possession. After making the jump from the end of the 2018 season to the 2019-2020 season, he’s become quite a valuable asset.

In the past two seasons, Powell has averaged 17.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and a steal per game while shooting an extremely efficient 48.4 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from downtown. With the Trail Blazers looking like they might be on the verge of a rebuild, Powell is looking more and more like he’s going to leave for a contender.

He could easily start in Boston at the two or the three, depending on where Jaylen Brown plays, and take the offensive load off the seemingly washed Kemba Walker. Powell could also be the guy that stays on to run with the second unit as to always have a primary ball-handler and scorer on the court.