Norman Powell took to Instagram on Monday night to say his farewells to the Toronto Raptors franchise and the city of Toronto, a place he called home for the last five-and-a-half years.
Powell was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers at the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday, in exchange for Rodney Hood and Gary Trent Jr., whose father, Gary Trent Sr., also played for the Raptors during his time in the NBA.
“You gave this kid from southeast San Diego a chance to fulfill a childhood dream of not only playing in the NBA but also winning a NBA Championship,” Powell wrote in the post.
“From the moment I got out the car in Maple Leaf Square for my pre-draft workout in 2015, I felt Toronto was the place for me.”
The 27-year-old guard was drafted in the second round, 46th overall of the 2015 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, but was traded along with the pick that would turn out to be OG Anunoby for Greivis Vasquez.
A consistent bench player for the Raptors in the beginning, Powell won over the hearts of fans and coaching staff alike, finding a way into the starting five by the end of his tenure with the Raptors, putting on performances like his season-high of 36 points against the Pistons in early March.
In his last full season in Toronto, Powell was averaging 16 points and 28 minutes per game. Powell also contributed 150 points and 51 rebounds off the bench in the Raptors’ 2019 playoff championship run.
“Thank you for embracing me and my Understand The Grind mentality as one of your own,” Powell wrote. “The love and support never went unnoticed. I am grateful and blessed with many memories and experiences that I’ll never forget. Toronto will always be in my heart.”
In the three months of the 2020-2021 season played with Toronto, Powell averaged a career high 19.6 points per game. Powell’s return against his former team came just three days after the trade, and he finished the game with 13 points and three rebounds in 27 minutes for the Trail Blazers.
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