Portland Trail Blazers: 3 reasons to trade CJ McCollum for Pascal Siakam

Reason #2 – Siakam is over two years younger than McCollum

As the Blazers current core continues to age, there may be a time when either of or both of Lillard and McCollum end up with chronic injury issues. This may never happen, but the history with small guards will tell you that injuries more often than not start to happen to this type of player.

Small guards often start to break down around age 30. I don’t want to put any curse on these two, but having two guards who are 6’3 and under, and of small physique, may not be the best thing for the franchise in the next few years.

Siakam though, at six-foot-nine, 230 pounds, and only 27-years-old, is in his physical peak.

By swapping McCollum for Siakam, the Blazers core straight away gets younger, and also gives Lillard more of the energy he will require as he ages.

Lillard is 31 now, and although he probably still has two years left at this peak level, as he ages he needs more help defensively, with rebounding, and with finishing at the rim. Dame’s shooting will be the last thing to go, but all the other things that require advanced physical ability, can be helped by having long athletes who are in their primes.

Siakam has only been a big part of two playoff runs, he is in his physical prime and ready to contribute right now.