Bombshell Report: CJ McCollum Trade "Certain" This Offseason

The Athletic's Jason Quick, who covers the Portland Trail Blazers, has dropped a bombshell prediction: "For the first time, I believe the likelihood of (C.J.) McCollum being traded this summer is probable,  if not certain." 

"For the first time, I believe the likelihood of [C.J.] McCollum being traded this summer is probable, if not certain."

-@jwquick https://t.co/IQ02tkO078

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) June 26, 2021

The report goes on to consider whether a straight-up McCollum for Ben Simmons deal would work, as the Philadelphia 76ers look to trade their beleaguered shooting-averse point guard. 

The problem with pairing Simmons with Blazers franchise player Damian Lillard, is that two ball-dominant point guards is probably one too many. 

Quick mentions the Boston Celtics as another team with interest in McCollum, where defensive stalwart Marcus Smart would be the ideal return, plus something else to make the salaries work. McCollum is owed $100 million over the next 3 years, while Smart has $14M and one year remaining on his contract.  

General Manager Neil Olshey needs to make a big splash this offseason to shake up a Portland squad that has stagnated in recent years, and hasn't been able to make the long playoff run that Lillard so deserves. 

This report comes just as the Trail Blazers have named Hall of Famer and former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups as their new head coach. Undoubtedly more headlines will be emanating from the Great Northwest as the summer moves along.

Photo Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports