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NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

By Corey Rausch

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
NBA trade deadline (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

team. 34. . 27-18. Previous: 9th. Portland Trail Blazers. 9

Last Week: Lost to Dallas Mavericks 132-92, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 116-112, Beat Miami Heat, Beat Orlando Magic 112-105

This Week: 3/28 at Toronto Raptors, 3/31 at Detroit Pistons, 4/2 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, /3 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

If there was any question before this week that the Portland Trail Blazers were all in on this season the deadline erased those questions. Portland swooped in and nabbed Norman Powell from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood. Having Jusuf Nurkic return to the court on Friday was the cherry on top.

Powell is having a career year and is a great pick-up for the stretch run for the Blazers. For the Raptors, Powell averaged 19.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is turning into a nuclear scorer, hitting 43.9 percent of his 3-point shots before being traded. He is not much of a playmaker, but he is a lengthy defender who will become one-third of the most lethal three-guard lineup in the league. If the Blazers can anchor the defense behind that trio with Nurkic and Robert Covington they may be able to make another push outside of the first round of the playoffs.

Moving on from Trent hurts, especially considering the payday Powell will be due this offseason. However, this is a bet on the continued progression of the likes of Nassir Little and Anfernee Simons. The Blazers are building something special, going scorched earth on opposing defenses along the way.