Former Portland Trail Blazers guard and current New Orleans Pelicans star CJ McCollum thinks the Blazers could trade superstar guard Damian Lillard during the NBA offseason.
McCollum predicted on The Ryen Russillo Podcast that the Blazers could decide to trade Lillard and get a massive haul in return for the NBA star if the franchise can’t accomplish something big this summer in the draft or via trades.
“This is me just making a judgment from the sidelines,” McCollum said. “It’s not like Dame told me this. I think based on whatever they’re going to be able to do with this coming trade, if they’re not able to accomplish something heading towards the direction of winning, the organization may decide, ‘You know what, we can get a quality haul for him.’ And they move him.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, the Blazers could package Anfernee Simons and the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to acquire an “elite small forward.” Portland is under a lot of pressure to surround Lillard with more talent.
“Note that I said ‘the team at No. 3’ because of widespread speculation the Trail Blazers, who currently own the pick, will seek to trade out of the third position rather than select another young player,” Hollinger wrote. “With Portland in ‘win it for Dame’ mode and the Blazers desperate for playable wings (even presuming they re-sign Jerami Grant), speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Portland has missed the playoffs two years in a row after making the postseason eight consecutive years. Lillard, 32, appeared in only 58 games this season, averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He signed a two-year, $121.8 million maximum veteran extension in July 2022.
It will be fascinating to see what the Blazers do this summer. One thing is certain, though: Lillard needs more help to compete in the rugged Western Conference.
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