On February 9, Beijing time, the management of the Trail Blazers went crazy. According to Shams, the Blazers sent CJ McCollum, Nance Jr., Snell to trade from the Pelicans for Josh Hart, Alexander Walker, Satoransky, Lozada Silva, as well as a 2022 protected first-round pick and two future second-round picks! A wave of big trades 3 for 7.
"Welcome CJ to New Orleans!" The Pelicans also officially announced the news. It is worth mentioning that the Pelicans sent the 2022 first-round signing with protective conditions: if it is a 1-4 pick in the first round, it belongs to the Pelicans; if it is a 5-14 pick, it belongs to the Blazers; if it is a 15-30 pick, it belongs to the Hornets (won in the Valan tripartite transaction).
If the Blazers fail to get that first-round pick, that pick will be converted to 1 future first-round pick. If the Hornets fail to get that first-round pick, that pick will be converted to multiple future picks.
According to ESPN, the Pelicans wanted to add a veteran and offensive organizer who had already achieved results to help the team achieve their goal of reaching the playoffs, while the Blazers wanted to get some of the assets from the McCollum deal and send them to the team that was good for his performance, so the two teams had a deep discussion and hit it off.
From 2013 to 2022, McCollum's 9 years as a Trail Blazer are finally over. So far in the regular season, CJ has played in 36 games for the Trail Blazers, averaging 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1 steal in 35.2 minutes per game.
McCollum has been one of the 5 players in the league who have been able to play at least 30 games per season while averaging 20+ points per game! The other four are James, Thick Brow, Harden and DeRozan. Since becoming the team's starter in 2015-16, CJ has hit 1,212 three-pointers, ranking seventh in the league in the same period.
According to statistics, McCollum has completed a total of 2155 jump shots since the 2016-17 season, which is the player with the highest number of jump shots in the league in the same period, and his effective shooting rate is 54.4%! Curry ranked second with 2123 jump shots and 60 percent effective shooting. Paul George finished third in 2095 with an effective shooting percentage of 52.3 percent. Chris Paul and Beal are fourth and fifth, respectively.
What is even more difficult for fans is that the "backcourt double gun" that has been combined for 9 years has also been disbanded. According to relevant statistics, CJ and Lillard have 193 games at the same time to cut 20+, which is the most two-man game in the history of the NBA, and behind them are the Warriors' Klay and Curry (186 games).
I don't know how the big cousin feels now, Lillard in the process of recuperating, did not expect the teammates around him to go one by one, first Powell and Covington a few days ago (both have joined the Clippers), and now it is McCollum, the Blazers have once again made a big change of blood, I have to say that the big cousin is simply too miserable.
According to ESPN, the Trailblazer's trading operations do not mean that they have to be messed up! The Blazers' plan is to conduct a full-blown reshuffle around Lillard, seeking talented players with high ceilings. The team got a $21 million deal exception through CJ, and this offseason, the Blazers could have $60 million in salary space and multiple draft picks from trades with the Pelicans and Clippers.
The Trail Blazers currently rank 11th in the West with a record of 21 wins and 33 losses. According to BR star Jake Fischer, the Trail Blazers are still talking to the Pistons, who want forward Jerami Grant. If Grant and his eldest cousin join forces, what do you think?
Lillard, who has played in 29 games this season and averaged 24 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.4 blocks, has been in recovery since he underwent abdominal tendon repair surgery last month. Today the Blazers reporter posted a photo: Lillard has returned to the team and participated in training!
Manager Billups said: "He did some simple shooting training and strength training and we will decide the comeback time based on his recovery and the condition of the team. ”
Finally, what do you think of the deal? Do you support Lillard going or staying?