Powell to decline player option, will reportedly be Blazers' top priority

Portland Trail Blazers guard Norman Powell will become a free agent this offseason after declining to exercise his player option for the 2021-22 season, he told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

Powell stood to earn $11.6 million next season with the option but will now attempt to secure a longer, more lucrative agreement on the open market. However, the Trail Blazers have made re-signing the 28-year-old their top priority, sources told Haynes.

The former Toronto Raptors guard averaged a career-high 18.6 points in 2020-21, splitting time with the Raptors and Trail Blazers. He was traded to Portland in March in exchange for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood. In 27 games with the Trail Blazers, Powell averaged 17 points (ranking third on the team), 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and shot 36.1% on 5.4 attempted threes per game.