The 2021-22 NBA season has been one to forget for the Portland Trail Blazers to this point, as it seems like everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong for this organization.
Not only did they have to deal with the drama of Damian Lillard trade rumors early on, as well as the firing of GM Neil Olshey due to an investigation into personal conduct in their front-office, but Lillard could be shut down for the remainder of the season after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Now just 21-29 on the season, just 2.5 games in front of the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans for the 10-seed in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers’ chances of making the playoffs this season seem very minimal. Portland is expected to be busy at the trade deadline and CJ McCollum is their biggest trade asset right now.
McCollum is now in his 9th NBA season, all of which he has spent with the Portland Trail Blazers, and while he did miss time earlier this season with a collapsed lung, he has shown no signs of limitation since returning to the floor.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pelicans Could Trade For Blazers’ Norman Powell, CJ McCollum?
In 32 games this year, CJ McCollum has averaged 20.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and has shot 40.2% from three-point range. Portland is not actively trying to trade McCollum at the trade deadline this season, but several teams across the league have shown interest in him leading up to the trade deadline.
While it is still possible that Portland could wind up claiming an actual playoff spot via the play-in tournament this season, their chances of winning a playoff series, especially without Damian Lillard, are extremely low.
A rebuild is on the horizon for this team and it could very much start at the trade deadline. With the Trail Blazers wanting to commit to Damian Lillard long-term and Anfernee Simons emerging as one of the best, young guards in the league, now could absolutely be the time that the Blazers look to capitalize on CJ McCollum’s value.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pelicans Could Trade For Blazers’ Norman Powell, CJ McCollum?
The Portland Trail Blazers want to get under the tax line this season, they need to add future assets to their roster and getting a ton of value for the $100M left on McCollum’s contract could very well pay off long-term for this franchise.
Could we actually see Portland trade CJ McCollum at the trade deadline this season? Here are three teams who should look to pursue McCollum leading up to the trade deadline next week.
