CJ McCollum – Portland Trail Blazers

At this point, it’s unlikely either of these guys will be on the move before the draft on Thursday, but CJ McCollum is definitely the guy Portland would move before getting rid of Damian Lillard if they had the choice. As things stand right now, Portland is not actively trying to trade McCollum, but he has been made “somewhat available” in trade talks, a source tells NBA Analysis Network. 

Finding ways to add more talent to their roster this offseason is a must for the Portland Trail Blazers and in order to keep Damian Lillard around, they will need to add more All-Star talents. This is why CJ McCollum could realistically be leveraged before the draft and why he could potentially be involved in a “swap” for Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers. 

There have been discussions league-wide about a potential McCollum for Simmons swap happening and it may actually be a trade that works out in favor of both the 76ers and Blazers.

Philly needs that impactful scoring guard in their rotation like CJ McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers not only need more All-Star talent, but help defensively, which is what Ben Simmons can give them. 

Much like the 76ers, the Portland Trail Blazers are unwilling to trade CJ McCollum for “nothing” and they are declining taking draft picks for the borderline All-Star shooting guard according to Jason Quick of The Athletic. 

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The Trail Blazers do not own any draft picks this year and really do not have many assets to trade other than CJ McCollum, which is why he is realistically their only player that could be on the move before or during Thursday’s draft. Again, it seems unlikely that the Blazers will be moving him or Lillard at this time, but he is available for the right price.