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Portland Trail Blazers: 7 Potential CJ McCollum Trades

By Nathan Powers

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 06: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks during Game One of the Eastern Conference second round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 06: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks during Game One of the Eastern Conference second round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 06, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Team #5: Boston Celtics

Portland Trades: CJ McCollum

Boston Trades: Marcus Smart, Payton Pritchard, 1 of Aaron Nesmith/Romeo Langford, 2022 1st round draft pick

Why Portland does this: Marcus Smart is in a similar situation with Boston as CJ is in with Portland. It just feels like it is time for him to move on. He isn’t quite what he was defensively two years ago, but he is still easily above average on that side. He is tough and a serviceable offensive player that could probably lead the franchise in a defensive direction. Payton Pritchard, bring the hometown kid back to Oregon! I watched him in person several times in college and absolutely love him. He probably is never a starter in the league but he is tough as nails and gives Portland a backup PG that doesn’t want to shoot every time he touches the ball. Nesmith and Langford have both shown flashes so whichever one Boston’s new front office likes more they keep and dump the other here. Boston’s first round pick this year is in the middle of the draft so they would probably push it back a year anticipating having a better record.

Why Boston does this: New front office with Brad Stevens in charge a changeup is coming to that roster and this could be it. They have played a pretty heavy isolation system in the past but with a new coach who knows what the offense will look like but let’s be honest, CJ could fit into any system.