ESPN: The Pelicans got an A rating from McCollum only C-Blazers cleaned up space

Earlier today, the Pelicans and Blazers struck a deal, McCollum traveled to New Orleans, and for the operation, ESPN expert Kevin Palton gave the Pelicans a C-rating, while the Blazers cleared space to rebuild and get an A.

The specific deals are that the Blazers will send McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., Snell, and the Pelicans will get Hart, Alexander Walker, Satoransky, Luzada, 2022 first-round protected draft picks, and two future second-round picks.

Pelicans: C-

Trading McCollum proves the Pelicans admit they were wrong in rebuilding direction. Lewis Jr. suffered a previous injury season with a cruciate ligament, Alexander Walker regressed in the third season of his career, and Graham was not a Player at the Rank of Lonzo Ball.

McCollum's addition will be a good way to improve the team's backcourt depth. McCollum has used the ball at 26 percent this season, he can create chances on the court, and his true shooting percentage is much better than Alexander Walker's. This season, when Ingram was on the floor, the Pelicans offense was above the league average, but when Ingram rested and the Pelicans were at the bottom of multiple stats leagues, McCollum's addition was a good addition.

Whenever Zion returns, McCollum will be a very good fit, and starting players such as Graham, McCollum, Ingram, Williamson and Valanciunas will bring a lot of challenges to opponents. But the Pelicans will have some defensive flaws that the Blazers have faced before, mcCollum and Graham's backcourt combination is too short, and in this deal, the Pelicans gave up Josh Hart.

In addition to defense, one of the negative effects of McCollum is salary, which next season will be as high as $33.3 million a year, and from the 2023-24 season, Zion may execute a new contract, which may lead to the loss of some outstanding players. The Pelicans gave up so much for McCollum reflect the tremendous pressure this team has on winning.

Trailblazer: A

Parting ways with McCollum did make them a little bitter, and he and Lillard had teamed up to reach the Western Conference Finals. But now it's time for them to say break up. The drop in salary pressure and the flexibility of the team's space are the biggest gains for the Blazers in this deal.

In his 30s, with such a contract, frankly, mcCollum's deal value would have been negative, but in the end the team got a fairly positive return. In this year's draft, the Blazers even had a chance to pick two top 11 picks. If Lillard eventually chooses to leave, it could also add a future team-building core to them.

Whether Hart and Alexander Walker will fit the team remains to be seen, and after the rookie season, Alexander Walker's efficiency has been declining, and if Walker does not develop further, he may leave Portland after the end of the next season. In previous trades with the Clippers, the Blazers also got young Keane Johnson.

By the summer, the Blazers had multiple options, trading Hart, renewing Nurkic, or continuing to explore in the free market while renewing Anfinny Simmons. While the Blazers want to make the team a competitive team while developing young players next season, they do have a lot of work to do, but at least the team is moving in the right direction.

in Kelsang