Report: Trail Blazers May Have Trouble Unloading "Negative Trade Asset"

Amidst all the trade rumors circulating around the Portland Trail Blazers this season, aside from Damian Lillard, the name most often mentioned is star shooting guard CJ McCollum. But a report today is suggesting that it may be a bit harder to unload McCollum than expected. He's surprisingly being labeled a "negative trade asset."

Report: Some NBA executives view C.J. McCollum as a ‘negative trade asset’ https://t.co/Cny9uxF4vb

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 6, 2022

“Some executives around the league view McCollum as a negative trade asset, one the Blazers would need to send with compensation to get him off the team’s books,” according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. 

McCollum is earning $30.9M this season, and has $100M still owed through the 2023-24 season. 

The 30-year-old has averaged 19 points a game over his nine years in Portland, with an impressive 39.7% shooting from three-point range. He's a solid locker room guy as well, and would be a nice add for any team. But the contract is the sticking point. 

McCollum's name is often linked to Portland's attempt to land Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers; however, it's safe to say that McCollum is certainly not on Daryl Morey's "list" of up to 30 players that he calls "difference-makers" that he would be looking for in a trade. 

As Pincus points out, "protections" from previous trades leave the Blazers with no first-round picks that they could package with McCollum (another stipulation that Morey insists come back to Philly in any trade for Simmons). 

Whether it's to Philadelphia, or anywhere else, it appears from the Pincus report that McCollum's contract will be a tough one for Portland to deal. 

Photo Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports