Many Portland Trail Blazers fans are scratching their heads after the team traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, rookie Keon Johnson and a 2025 second-round pick.
Interim general manager Joe Cronin spoke with Washington Post reporter Ben Golliver to explain his reasons in making the deal.
In a simple answer, Cronin responded with “cap flexibility” as his primary reason to making the trade. By dealing Norman Powell, the team clears up $18 million on average over the next four seasons.