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Trade Deadline Roundup: 5 Blazers Trade Rumors

By Isaiah De los Santos

Nov 30, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) talk at mid court during the fourth quarter in a game against the Indiana Pacers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) talk at mid court during the fourth quarter in a game against the Indiana Pacers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Blazers explored Andre Drummond, scoffed at giving up McCollum

So the report goes, the Blazers had exploratory talks about acquiring Andre Drummond, however they ended quickly.

"One league source told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that the Portland Trail Blazers called to inquire about Drummond but quickly abandoned their interest when Detroit asked for Blazers guard C.J. McCollum in return. The Blazers, sources told Shelburne, regard McCollum as an untouchable."

Two lessons can be learned from this.

First: the Blazers are still looking to upgrade at the center position. I think every team in the league would rather have Drummond over Nurkic, so the Blazers at least reaching out for the cost is logical.

Maybe this hints at the Blazers wanting a center to win-now versus waiting on Nurkic to tap into his potential-filled tank. If the price had been right, I think Olshey would have (and should have) given the deal a real shot.

Second lesson: McCollum isn’t going anywhere. Ramona Shelburne mentioned that the former Lehigh guard is untouchable. He just got a huge extension himself, locking up the Blazer backcourt into the 2020-21 season.

If Olshey had thought his star backcourt needed to split, this may have been the deal to hand the reigns over to Lillard—once again paired with a star front court mate in Drummond.

Building a team around the guards with pieces to make up for their deficiencies will be the best way to get the Blazers into contention.