Why The Trade Would Benefit The Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have a ton of money wrapped up in Damian Lillard. The same could be said about McCollum moving forward. he still has three years left on his deal where he is owed upward of $100 million. This is a lot of money to owe two players and they would be able to save a bit with Hield.

After this season, Buddy Hield also has three years on his deal but is owed $60 million. This would shed some cap for the Trail Blazers and give them another strong shooter on the perimeter. Portland looking better than they did a season ago and CJ McCollum has been sidelined for much of it.

This move would have long-term effects rather than this season. That is something the front office would have to take into account. McCollum is the clear No. 2 option in Portland and if they feel like they can compete, it will be difficult to send him away.

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Being able to land Marvin Bagley III could provide the Trail Blazers with an intriguing big man option to be a pick-and-roll partner for Damian Lillard. This could be an intriguing arrangement for Bagley to tap into his unrealized potential given how much focus Lillard attracts defensively. Plus he’s on a rookie contract.

If the front office wants to retool for the future, this is a move to consider. Regardless, it is difficult to picture Trail Blazers parting ways with CJ McCollum at the NBA trade deadline.