The Hair clippers‘ replacement for Paul George seems to be Norman Powell until the start of the 2024/25 season, writes The Athletic’s Law Murray. In a recent win over George’s Sixers, Powell hit six threes on his way to 26 points.

After never averaging more than 19.0 points per game in a season entering 2024-25, Powell is averaging 25.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists on a scorching .516/.494 so far /.861 shooting line.

“I always imagined myself in this position and wanting the opportunity,Powell said Wednesday evening. “Learning from when I was in Toronto with Kyle (Lowry) and DeMar (DeRozan), learning from Dame (Lillard) and CJ (McCollum), learning from PG and Kawhi (Leonard). Being around those top guys and just getting games and knowledge from them in the summer. Going against them, fighting, and just wanting to do that.”

Powell was acquired by the Clippers from the Trail Blazers at the 2022 trade deadline and is in the fourth year of a five-year, $90 million contract he signed with Portland. He’s on the books for $19.2 million this season and $20.5 million next year.

Powell, who finished fourth in Sixth Man of the Year voting in each of his two full seasons in Los Angeles, averaged 15.3 points on 10.9 shot attempts per game during that stretch. Through the first part of this season, he is taking 17.4 field goal attempts per game after George’s departure.

“I saw it as addition by subtraction,Powell said about George’s departure at Clippers media day. “I was excited. I think what I’ve said every year at this media day since I’ve been here is, I want to be the starting two guards, and the opportunity is in front of me. I prepared myself. I’ve always seen myself as a starter in this league. I feel like I put a lot of work into it. I feel like the numbers will show for themselves when I start and what the output is. So I’m excited to take on that role and the pressure that comes with it. The good, the bad and the ugly.”

In a similar piece, Janis Carr of The Orange County Register describes Powell’s quest for perfection. Powell recorded his first career double-double on Friday with 31 points and 12 rebounds.

“I have my own mentality and approach to the game, like nothing really changes no matter what role I play. I’ve said it several times:Powell said. “I have high expectations of myself. I always see myself as a starter, as a top player in the league who can come out and help any team win, wherever I am.”

We have more from the Pacific Division:

• As we communicated on Friday, Cam Reddish taken D’Angelo Russell‘s spot in the Lakers‘starting with five. Russell was moved to the bench last season when the team also started to lose, but his connection with the then coach Darvin Ham ago, Dave McMenamin writes on ESPN. This time with JJ Redick While coaching the team, Russell approaches the situation with a different mindset. “I left all that, all my baggage, at the door this summer when we changed coaches and new staff came in,” Russel said. “I was committed to whatever it took. That’s what you’re all seeing now.’
• The Lakers are expected to be active on the trade market after a 5-4 start with a 24th-ranked defense, per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Fischer mentions Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez and that of Washington Jonas Valanciunas as two targets in LA’s ‘internal board’, with Russell potentially available as an outgoing salary.
• The Sunbathing are unleashing Kevin Durant by letting him embrace the coach Mike Budenholzer‘The three-point-heavy approach, writes Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports. Durant has helped the Suns to an 8-1 record to start the year by averaging 27.6 PPG on .553/.429/.836 shooting. He also averages 5.0 points per game in clutch minutes, making 63.2% of his field goals in those situations.
• While Durant’s star power is the Sunbathingthey get another boost Royce O’Neale‘s play, writes Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. O’Neale is shooting 52.6% on three-pointers so far this season, coming off the bench first, and Rankin writes that he looks like an early candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. O’Neale signed a four-year contract last season.
• Kings guard Kevin Hurter missed two games last week due to an illness and Sean Cunningham of FOX40 tweets that he is still feeling the effects after his return. Huerter is averaging 10.4 PPG for the Kings and has played two games since returning to the team.