The Portland Trail Blazers have traded CJ McCollum, along with forward Larry Nance, Jr. and wing Tony Snell, to the New Orleans Pelicans for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, and Didi Louzada. The deal also gives the Blazers a 2022 first-round pick that will convey if it falls between the 5th and 14th spots in the draft, plus two future second-round picks.
Before we analyze the deal and its implications, it’s appropriate to stop for a minute and reflect on McCollum’s career in Portland. Over nine seasons, he’s proven again and again that he’s one of the best scorers the franchise has ever seen.