The Clippers are not in a hurry to complete a contract renewal with the backcourt general. Could he become a potential bargaining chip in the trade?

According to the well-known HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, the Los Angeles Clippers are not in a hurry to complete an early contract renewal with the team's backcourt star Norman Powell. The team may adjust according to changes in the situation, and Powell may also be used as a potential trading chip to trade the third giant.

Scotto said Powell just played his best season in his career so far this season, and he is also eligible for an early contract renewal. But given that his $20.48 million contract is still around for the 2025-26 season, the Clippers are not in a hurry to complete a contract renewal with him at this stage. Scotto continued to write: Sources pointed out that the Clippers hope to maintain cap space flexibility in the summer of 2027. It is worth noting that the team currently has only Ivica Zubac's $21 million guarantee contract in the 2027-28 season. Powell's expiration contract may also become an important bargaining chip for the team. If the Clippers decide to pursue a star to form the Big Three before the trading deadline this summer or next season, this cost-effective contract will become extremely operational.

In the NBA regular season this season, Powell played a total of 60 games due to injuries in 82 games, averaging 32.6 minutes per game, averaging 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers and 1.9 fouls, shooting percentage of 48.4%, three-point shooting percentage of 41.8%, and free throw shooting percentage of 80.4%. In the playoffs, Powell averaged 34 minutes in these seven games, with averaging 16 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocks, 1.7 turnovers and 2.1 fouls, shooting percentage of 47.2%, three-point shooting percentage of 35%, and free throw shooting percentage of 77.8%.

Powell's performance in the regular season this season is impressive. He has shown super scoring ability on the offensive end and he also has rich offensive methods. However, due to injuries, his performance at the end of the season also showed a significant decline. The most important thing is that his ups and downs have continued to the playoffs, and his performance during the playoffs is still not ideal, which to a certain extent led to the Clippers being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Of course, if Powell can adjust his condition in time and stay healthy throughout the season, with his performance in the first half of the season, as long as the team can give him enough ball rights and stable tactical status, he will definitely be more than enough as the third leader of a playoff-level team.