Last week, the Portland Trail Blazers agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to move Norman Powell and Robert Covington, sparking rumors of a full-on fire sale for the team.
It appears that is exactly what the Trail Blazers are trying to do, as reports came out Tuesday morning that the team is trading star shooting guard CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans in a blockbuster deal.
Full trade, per sources:
Blazers: Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, Didi Louzada, 2022 protected first-round pick, two second-round picks.
Pelicans: CJ McCollum, Larry Nance, Tony Snell.— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
The Pelicans will receive McCollum, Larry Nance, and Tony Snell from the Pelicans in return for Josh Hart, Nickel Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, a 2022 protected first-round pick and two second-round picks.
Here are some reactions to the biggest trade so far this NBA season.
To recap, you essentially turn Nickeil into the player the Pels were hoping he could be. And while it sucks to lose Hart, one of his best traits was the ability to be an undersized Larry Nance.
What an excellent trade for the Pels. https://t.co/c1hgNt5Fr0
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) February 8, 2022
The trade clears the books for Portland in 2022/23
Portland has only $68.6M in guaranteed contracts next year.
$28.3M in partial/non-guaranteed contracts (Bledsoe and Hart) https://t.co/LmabVLirw4
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 8, 2022
My man @CJMcCollum with them @PelicansNBA I gotta go Tap in!!! https://t.co/SI6SeKMp7K
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) February 8, 2022
Giveaways all week lmao https://t.co/DZNIppJtou
— Mick (@mickjenkins) February 8, 2022
With the injury to Damian Lillard holding him out for the foreseeable future, the Trail Blazers must feel that they need to go in a different direction. Things have not gone their way so far this season, holding a 21-33 record on the outside looking in of the play-in tournament.
With this trade, Portland frees up as much as $60 million for this offseason in cap space. Hopefully, they can mold a team around Damian Lillard with that money in the future.
Portland's plan is to fully reshape roster around Damian Lillard now. Portland created a $21M trade exception today, potentially $60M in salary cap space this summer, multiple draft picks and assets via Pels and Clippers trades. Plan is to pursue high-end talent now, not retreat.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022
It is rather interesting to see the Pelicans make such a big move as they aren’t a contender at this point in the season either, sitting at a 21-32 record in the Western Conference.
The Pelicans most likely won’t be competitive this year, with star forward Zion Williamson yet to play a game for the team this season. However, when he is healthy again for the team, they should have a dangerous big 3 in Williamson, McCollum, and Brandon Ingram for years to come.
