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Blazers need to target Porzingis, even if it means trading McCollum

By Jacob Swanson

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks is introduced prior to the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks is introduced prior to the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) goes after a rebound with New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half of the game at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 110-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) goes after a rebound with New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half of the game at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 110-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Porzingis has unmatched potential

Porzingis would stretch the floor in a way that Noah Vonleh, Moe Harkless and the rest of the Portland frontcourt can’t match, giving Lillard a force in the low-post and on the wing. He’s overflowing with potential, and would give Portland a chance for legitimate contention down the road.

The Warriors, arguably, have four of the top ten players in the NBA right now, making them almost unbeatable. In five years, Lillard and Porzingis could be top-ten players in the NBA — I just can’t see McCollum being a guy with that type of ability.

He’s really good, and he’s an asset for Portland, not only for the team but for the community. Porzingis could be a legitimate top-ten player in the association by the time he’s McCollum’s age, though. That should be more than enough motivation for the Blazers to try and secure his services through a trade.

He’s going to be a superstar, and he’s going to be a superstar soon. Along with Lillard, he would be a building block for a competitor in Portland. If the goal is to win titles, Lillard needs a second superstar alongside him — especially one in the front court — which makes McCollum expendable.

Next: Nurk tweets about staying in Portland

The opportunity to grab a 22-year-old with Porzingis’ potential doesn’t come around very often, but right now, it’s there for the taking.

It’s almost like a unicorn, if you will.