Report: Norman Powell inks five-year deal with Portland Trail Blazers

Veteran guard Norman Powell has signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in free agency, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Powell declined a $11.6 million player option with the Trail Blazers to become a free agent.

Powell raised the market for himself over the last two seasons as he developed into more of a scorer with increased minutes. He parts of the last six seasons with the Toronto Raptors and was dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers in the middle of the 2020-21 season. Powell was a big part of the team that advanced to the Western Conference first round where they fell to the Denver Nuggets in six games.

Powell signed a $42 million deal with the Raptors for four years with the player-option season at the end of it. He has yet to hit free agency with value this high, and he was smart not to accept the player option to remain with Portland for another season because there is a solid market for his talents.

In a season split with the Raptors and Trail Blazers this past season, Powell averaged 18.6 points per game with 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 assists. He shot 47.7% from the floor and knocked down 41.1% of his three-point attempts.