This Blazers-Pacers Trade Is Centered Around CJ McCollum

CJ McCollum
NBA Analysis Network
Portland Trail Blazers, CJ McCollum, Zion Williamson, Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans, OKC Thunder, NBA Rumors
Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers Receive: G CJ McCollum, F Nassir Little
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, F Jeremy Lamb, 2023 Lottery-Protected First-Round Draft Pick

The Indiana Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers were two of the teams most often mentioned in NBA trade rumors this offseason. Both teams needed a shake-up after disappointing 2020-21 seasons but hadn’t made a deal of that magnitude yet. Now, they’ll come together to shake things up in a swap with each other.

The Pacers and Trail Blazers come together on this deal with backcourt members being the centerpieces.

Indiana is receiving high-scoring guard CJ McCollum in the deal. McCollum has developed into one of the best shooting guards in the NBA over time.

In addition to McCollum, the Pacers are receiving Nassir Little. Little was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft but has yet to make an impact. But, at 21-years old, the North Carolina product has plenty of time for development.

READ MORE: Predictions for Latest NBA Trade Rumors: Simmons, Siakam, Dragic, Lillard

Heading back to Portland in this deal is Pacers’ point guard, Malcolm Brogdon. He has begun coming into his own as well since signing with the Pacers as a restricted free agent in 2019. The former Virginia product would step right into the starting lineup in place of McCollum.

Jeremy Lamb is someone Indiana has been looking to move recently, as he doesn’t have a route to much playing time in their rotation. A first-round draft pick is included in the deal but is lottery-protected. But, even lottery-protected, that pick has a lot of value for Portland.

Why would each team take part in this deal? Let’s take a look at it from each of their perspectives, starting with the Pacers.

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