CJ McCollum on Damian Lillard trade is mutually beneficial for both the Trail Blazers and his former teammate. McCollum traded to New Orleans in 2022, was the first to depart as part of Portland’s efforts to reshape the team around Lillard. Despite the turbulence between Lillard and the Blazers’ management, McCollum believes Lillard should be optimistic about his future.
CJ McCollum on Damian Lillard Trade
He expressed happiness for Lillard, highlighting that things didn’t end as either party had hoped. Still, in the end, the trade fulfilled the desires of all involved. The Blazers gained assets to build around their young talent, and Lillard joined a championship contender.
McCollum also noted that Jusuf Nurkic and Nassir Little traded to Phoenix in exchange for Deandre Ayton, who found themselves on teams with championship aspirations.
Lillard and McCollum, drafted in 2012 and 2013, respectively, formed one of the NBA’s most potent scoring duos from 2015 to 2021. Despite their success, they couldn’t propel the Blazers past the Western Conference finals, reaching it once in 2019. After a failed attempt to rebuild around Lillard, he demanded a trade to Miami on July 1.
While Miami was Lillard’s preferred destination, McCollum believes that joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee might offer a better chance at a championship.
McCollum recognizes the unique dominance of Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP who led the Bucks to a championship in 2021. He believes Antetokounmpo’s playing style makes him an exceptionally challenging opponent.
With Antetokounmpo’s presence, the Bucks are considered top contenders for the NBA title next season. But what about McCollum and the Pelicans? Could an NBA Finals showdown between Lillard and McCollum be on the horizon?
McCollum sees the potential for such a matchup and wishes Lillard the best. He also hopes the Pelicans can become competitive in the Western Conference, emphasizing the importance of staying healthy throughout the season.
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