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With the NBA Trade Deadline just two days away, things are getting real. The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a deal to acquire Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum in exchange for Josh Hart and draft picks.
The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a deal to acquire Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum for a package around Josh Hart and draft compensation, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2022
This is huge for the Pelicans, who add an established guard that brings a ton of experience to the table. They were already trying to sign Kyle Lowry last summer, but the Miami Heat beat them to the punch.
As Adrian Wojnarowski notes, Larry Nance and Tony Snell are also going to the Big Easy:
Portland and New Orleans have agreed upon a trade — CJ McCollum, Larry Nance and Tony Snell are on the way to the Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Hy4oxNNTiM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
Going the other way looks to be Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, draft picks, and Tomas Satoransky:
The Pelicans are sending Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickel Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, a future first-round pick and future second to the Blazers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
(Typo from Woj, two-second rounders)
Here is the full details:
Full trade, per sources:
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.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
For the Blazers, their star duo of Damian Lillard and McCollum is broken up, but Portland does get assets and Hart, who could give them a scoring punch off the bench. At this point, it's unlikely Dame returns this season anyway, which means the Blazers are going to try and get as much draft capital as possible and assets for the time being. They've already traded away Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers.
McCollum meanwhile is enjoying a solid campaign and will slot right into the Pelicans starting five. He's averaging 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on a 38% clip from long range. The Pelicans are way out of contention at 21-32, but their current core is certainly promising, especially when Zion Williamson returns to the fold. Nance also gives them solid defense.
Big move for New Orleans. As for Portland, their roster is looking pretty thin around Lillard now.
