It's impressive that the Portland Trail Blazers made the postseason, considering they ranked near the bottom in key offensive categories, particularly turnovers and three-point efficiency. If Portland can find a better balance on offense without compromising what made them successful this season, they should be in great shape going forward.
Damian Lillard's return will help address those glaring offensive flaws. But Portland knows they can't rely on a 35-year-old Lillard coming off an Achilles tear as the solution to all their problems. There's uncertainty about whether Lillard will return to form; it's not a sustainable solution, and it's a glaring problem they need to address beyond a single player.
Could the Blazers turn to Lillard's former backcourt partner, CJ McCollum, for help?
Blazers should pursue CJ McCollum in free agency
A reunion isn't entirely out of the picture with McCollum set to hit free agency. He's been a great stopgap solution for the Atlanta Hawks as they look to transition away from their Trae Young era. Still, there has to be some appeal to the idea of finishing what he and Dame started in Rip City.
That regular-season success, unfortunately, didn't quite translate to the postseason, but this is an entirely different Blazers team. Lillard cited "basketball decisions" as a reason for returning to Portland.
Largely thanks to the Lillard trade in the first place, this team is much better equipped to cover for the defensive limitations that come from the undersized backcourt duo. Players like Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara, and Robert Williams III were the exact pieces the Blazers were missing in the Lillard-McCollum era.
Not to mention, the Blazers would have this veteran backcourt duo as a luxury rather than a necessity.
McCollum would likely have to take a slight pay cut
The argument against bringing in McCollum would be that Portland's crowded backcourt could hinder the role, and subsequently, the development of up-and-coming guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. But are we certain Henderson and Sharpe are truly part of the Blazers' plans? If Portland wants to maximize Lillard's closing window, it could make sense to bring in a more consistent option.
Portland's financial situation is another factor that could get in the way of this dream reunion. The Blazers can use their $15 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception on McCollum. That would be a slight pay cut from what he's expected to receive on the market. John Hollinger of The Athletic notes execs around the league believe one or two years slightly above midlevel exception is "a fair ballpark." He also adds that the league's new anti-tanking policy could lead to a team with cap room, such as the Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets, offering McCollum a one-year balloon deal.
Would CJ really want to take less money and a reduced role to join a Blazers team that still wouldn't be considered a contender? That could be too many variables working against Portland's favor to consider this reunion likely.
Still, it's a route they should at least pursue. Even beyond the storybook reunion of Dame and CJ, Portland's offense can use all the help it can get.
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