The Portland Trail Blazers made a pretty big move when the traded Robert Covington, but it doesn’t look like that trade was actually good for them.
Robert Covington isn’t exactly the best player in the NBA. He’s not someone that a franchise could necessarily build a team around. However, Covington is a valuable asset that could help a team be a playoff contender.
So, if a franchise were looking to trade him away, it would make sense that they land a decent haul in return. That’s not exactly what the Portland Trail Blazers did.
Instead, the Trail Blazers boldly decided to put Covington in a trade that moved him and Norman Powell to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Keon Johnson, and Justise Winslow. Oh, and the Blazers get a second-round draft pick in 20225 as well.
That’s not an awe-inspiring return.
The Blazers traded two first-round picks and Trevor Ariza for Robert Covington.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) February 4, 2022
The Blazers traded Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood for Norman Powell.
And now all the Blazers have to show for those two trades is a Keon Johnson, J Winslow, a couple months of Eric Bledsoe.
Yikes
Damian Lillard deserves better and yet, somehow, the folks in Portland keep making this team worse in the worst possible ways.
Portland Trail Blazers move Robert Covington in incredibly disappointing trade
None of this seems to bode well for anyone who wants to see the Trail Blazers win down the stretch of this season. If anything, it seems likely Portland will try to tank the remainder of the year away.
They’re not in a position to win, so that might be the best move to make for the future.
Dame lillard said get me more help and I’ll stay and the blazers front office traded Gary Trent for Norman powell last year and traded Norman and Robert Covington for Eric Bledsoe today pic.twitter.com/V81qdl9n4v
— jw (@jwmedia12) February 4, 2022
In case Blazers fans weren't angry enough - have you guys seen what Gary Trent Jr. has been doing lately?
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) February 4, 2022
Over the Raptors last six games, Trent is averaging:
29.5 points,
3.2 rebounds and
5.7 made treys a night,
while shooting 49% from the floor and 50% from deep.
Who knows how this ultimately unfolds for Lillard and Portland. He’s someone who elevates players around him and has the talent to theoretically put any franchise in position to be a contender. But if the Trail Blazers keep making moves like this, then maybe it’s time for him to consider playing elsewhere fore the first time in his career.
It’s possible more trades will be made to help round out Portland’s roster. But if more deals like this are made, then it’s clear that this franchise isn’t invested in winning in the near future.