Trail Blazers expected to prioritize signing Norman Powell this offseason

The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly putting a heavy premium on retaining Norman Powell in free agency this summer, Bleacher Report reports, via John Hollinger of The Athletic.

Powell is coming off a career season, registering 18.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in a season split between the Toronto Raptors and the Blazers. The 2020-21 season marks the first time the 28-year-old was a full-time starter, which suggests he can build off of that success in coming seasons. 

Hollinger points out Portland likely didn't pick Powell up at the trade deadline last season just to let him leave in free agency. However, the Blazers will also have to make a few trades or go into the luxury tax to keep him from dipping his toes into the free agency pool.

Of course, getting Powell signed to a deal isn't the only thing on Portland's offseason agenda. They can cross finding a new head coach off of their list but still have to contend with the prospect of trading C.J. McCollum and the looming possibility that Damian Lillard requests a trade to play elsewhere.