The Portland Trail Blazers are going to go as far as where the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum takes them. In other words, they are generally viewed as untouchable Blazers assets in trade talks. However, that’s not keeping other teams from shooting their shots by sending Portland trade proposals, according to a report from Zach Lowe of ESPN, though the Blazers are merely rejecting each and every offer that have landed on their table so far.
Some folks have pitched deals centered around C.J. McCollum. Portland continues to reject any inquires on McCollum and Damian Lillard, sources say. A package of Kevin Love and the Nets pick would be too much for Cleveland; swapping Love for McCollum doesn't really move the needle anyway. A package centered around Tristan Thompson and the Nets pick may not be enough for Portland.
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are under contract until 2021. They are guaranteed $115.56 million and $106.6 million, respectively, as the Blazers have locked them up long term in hopes of staying competitive during the prime years of the two spitfire guards.
As mentioned by Lowe, if the Blazers would give up any of the two guards, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to be among those most interested in that kind of deal. The Cavs are having problems in their backcourt despite the presence of Isaiah Thomas, whose liability on defense has been very much pronounced in Cleveland. That said, it’s unlikely that the Blazers would break apart one of the best backcourt tandems in the NBA today anytime soon.
Lillard is averaging 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game this season, while McCollum is producing 21.9 points on 45.5 field goal shooting percentage.
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