This Blazers-Grizzlies Trade Is Centered Around CJ McCollum

CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA Trade Rumors
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CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, Victor Oladipo, NBA Rumors, Damian Lillard
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Would this trade make sense for the Memphis Grizzlies?

For the Memphis Grizzlies, this would be a chance for them to go all-in on the current core. Ja Morant is going to be an All-NBA player for years, but why not try to compete for championships right now? Adding an established talent like CJ McCollum would help them do that.

McCollum has played second fiddle to Damian Lillard in Portland for his entire career. While he wouldn’t be the first option in Memphis, either, he’d be the main option on the perimeter. Morant likes to work inside, so that would leave the outside to McCollum.

The best part about this deal? The Grizzlies aren’t trading away any long-term core pieces of their team. The only real exception to this is Ziaire Williams, but that’s the price you pay for talent. As for Clarke, he’s slowly begun to fade out of the rotation, anyway.

Jaren Jackson Jr. could take over as the main center, replacing Steven Adams. And Kyle Anderson’s contract is up at the end of the year, anyways. Trading a couple of young pieces and two older veterans for one, All-Star-caliber guard could be worth it.

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Committing to contending now would be a bold move, but could prove to be worth it for a young Memphis Grizzlies squad. However, what would Portland think of this deal? Why could this sort of package appeal to them?

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