The New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly agreed to a blockbuster trade built around CJ McCollum, according to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
Full trade, per sources:
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
Blazers: Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, Didi Louzada, 2022 protected first-round pick, two second-round picks.
Pelicans: CJ McCollum, Larry Nance, Tony Snell.
According to multiple reports, the Blazers add Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, and a protected 2022 first round draft pick. The Pelicans receive McCollum, Larry Nance, and Tony Snell.
The Blazers were active in the trade market recently after moving Norman Powell and Robert Covington but remain in the mix to improve their team. The McCollum deal comes hot off the heels of reports coming out that the Trail Blazers were considering options from the Knicks as well as the Pelicans.
Acquiring McCollum can be a positive addition to their offense thanks to his sublime shooting and underrated playmaking abilities as a passer and shot creator. It’ll help alleviate the pressure of scoring and playmaking on not only Brandon Ingram but Zion Williamson once he completes his rehab from a foot injury he suffered in the offseason.
Removing McCollum would also open the door for Anfernee Simons, who has broken out in his fourth year with Portland. The 22-year-old guard averages 15.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Moving Powell helped open up more minutes for Simons, and doing so with McCollum would help create a spot in the starting lineup that Simons could fill.
A Lillard-Simons backcourt could help inject the energy that Blazers need to make a run for a play-in spot similar to what they did in the 2020 Orlando Bubble.
The next time Portland plays is Tuesday against the Orlando Magic at home.
