Boston Celtics Receive: CJ McCollum
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson, Romeo Langford, Aaron Nesmith, 2023 First-Round Pick
This is a win-win trade for both the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers. The Celtics land their target in CJ McCollum and the Blazers accomplish their goal of adding players that can help them win now while adding draft capital in the future.
Marcus Smart is the centerpiece of this deal for Portland. While he offers nothing close to McCollum when it comes to scoring the ball, the two do offer similar levels of playmaking, with a slight edge possibly going to Smart.
What Smart will provide is more balance to the Trail Blazers’ lineup as he gives them a defensive ace to pair with offensive dynamo Damian Lillard in the backcourt. The combination of Smart, Robert Covington and Norman Powell, if re-signed, would give Portland three above-average defenders to help turn around their defense.
Tristan Thompson gives the team another veteran center to backup Jusuf Nurkic, who has battled injuries in recent years. He is a natural replacement for Enes Kanter, who is entering free agency as well.
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Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith give the Trail Blazers two younger players they can develop should a rebuild start sooner than later. The 2023 first-round draft pick would prove valuable for a rebuilding team or as a great trade chip should Portland get more aggressive in upgrading its roster.
