C.J. McCollum

[Roy H.]

According to sources close to the Pelicans, the team is heading into the deadline as a buyer focusing on the 2022-23 campaign. Zion Williamson, who has yet to play this year with a foot injury, is eligible for an extension this offseason. The team apparently views McCollum as the potentially ideal veteran scorer and leader to play alongside Brandon Ingram and Williamson. – via Eric Pincus @ Bleacher Report

Several executives view McCollum as a negative asset based on his salary ($100 million through 2023-24), size (6’3″) and age (30). But that may be an opportunity for the Pelicans to add one of the league’s best professional scorers at a diminished price. If so, New Orleans would be required to send out at least $24.6 million in outgoing salary. – via Eric Pincus @ Bleacher Report

Caveat:  it’s Bleacher Report.

If McCollum truly is a “negative asset”, would something like Horford + #1 for McCollum + #2 work?

[todd_days_41]

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

[Roy H.]

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

I would think so, but if “negative value” is true, the price would be cheap.

[Moranis]

I don't buy the report that he has negative value at all.  he doesn't have great value, but that is mostly because he is a secondary or tertiary star due big money and is on the wrong side of 30.  He is, however, a very good player. 

Before we traded Hernangomez I was proposing something like this for awhile

McCollum for Richardson, Hernangomez, Nesmith, Langford, 22 1st, 24 1st (top 4)

I still think that is probably the right sort of value, but if this report is to be believed, then maybe you drop the 24 1st.  Since Hernangomez is gone, the salary needs to be reworked some.

McCollum for Richardson, Schroder, Nesmith, Langford, 22 1st

I think that makes pretty good sense for both teams as I'd rather keep Horford and I don't think they'd want him anyway so it might cost some extra stuff


If they'd give up Covington, it could be altered with Horford

McCollum, Covington for Horford, Nesmith, Langford, G. Williams, 22 1st, 24 1st (top 4)


I'd probably prefer the 2nd trade, but either one would be fine

So if the 2nd trade is made (2 open roster spots)

PG - Smart, Schroder, Pritchard
SG - McCollum, Richardson, Dozier
SF - Brown
PF - Tatum, Covington, Fernando
C - Williams, Freedom, Bol

Team would need to pick up a center with 1 of the open spots for sure, but the other could be pretty much any position.  Definitely a tax team with that roster, but that team is a lot deeper and adds an influx of talent and thus would have a much better shot of actually competing in the post-season, both this year and in the future. 

[todd_days_41]

I don't buy the report that he has negative value at all.  he doesn't have great value, but that is mostly because he is a secondary or tertiary star due big money and is on the wrong side of 30.  He is, however, a very good player. 

Before we traded Hernangomez I was proposing something like this for awhile

McCollum for Richardson, Hernangomez, Nesmith, Langford, 22 1st, 24 1st (top 4)

I still think that is probably the right sort of value, but if this report is to be believed, then maybe you drop the 24 1st.  Since Hernangomez is gone, the salary needs to be reworked some.

McCollum for Richardson, Schroder, Nesmith, Langford, 22 1st

I think that makes pretty good sense for both teams as I'd rather keep Horford and I don't think they'd want him anyway so it might cost some extra stuff


If they'd give up Covington, it could be altered with Horford

McCollum, Covington for Horford, Nesmith, Langford, G. Williams, 22 1st, 24 1st (top 4)


I'd probably prefer the 2nd trade, but either one would be fine

So if the 2nd trade is made (2 open roster spots)

PG - Smart, Schroder, Pritchard
SG - McCollum, Richardson, Dozier
SF - Brown
PF - Tatum, Covington, Fernando
C - Williams, Freedom, Bol

Team would need to pick up a center with 1 of the open spots for sure, but the other could be pretty much any position.  Definitely a tax team with that roster, but that team is a lot deeper and adds an influx of talent and thus would have a much better shot of actually competing in the post-season, both this year and in the future.

A solid rotation player on a reasonable contract, 2 largely unprotected first round picks, and two recent first round picks for a guy with questionable value around the league?

[slamtheking]

I don't buy the report that he has negative value at all.  he doesn't have great value, but that is mostly because he is a secondary or tertiary star due big money and is on the wrong side of 30.  He is, however, a very good player. 

Before we traded Hernangomez I was proposing something like this for awhile

McCollum for Richardson, Hernangomez, Nesmith, Langford, 22 1st, 24 1st (top 4)

I still think that is probably the right sort of value, but if this report is to be believed, then maybe you drop the 24 1st.  Since Hernangomez is gone, the salary needs to be reworked some.

McCollum for Richardson, Schroder, Nesmith, Langford, 22 1st

I think that makes pretty good sense for both teams as I'd rather keep Horford and I don't think they'd want him anyway so it might cost some extra stuff


If they'd give up Covington, it could be altered with Horford

McCollum, Covington for Horford, Nesmith, Langford, G. Williams, 22 1st, 24 1st (top 4)


I'd probably prefer the 2nd trade, but either one would be fine

So if the 2nd trade is made (2 open roster spots)

PG - Smart, Schroder, Pritchard
SG - McCollum, Richardson, Dozier
SF - Brown
PF - Tatum, Covington, Fernando
C - Williams, Freedom, Bol

Team would need to pick up a center with 1 of the open spots for sure, but the other could be pretty much any position.  Definitely a tax team with that roster, but that team is a lot deeper and adds an influx of talent and thus would have a much better shot of actually competing in the post-season, both this year and in the future.

second deal's not horrible but does deplete our youth and gives away the upcoming pick so no chance to replenish the cheap prospects on the bench.  Shroder and Freedom are likely gone next year so PG and Center are really thin requiring a team over the cap to work some real magic to add decent players to the roster.

[Surferdad]

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

I would think so, but if “negative value” is true, the price would be cheap.

Who do the Pels have to match that big salary?

[CFAN38]

 

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

The Magic making a consolidation trade for CJ would make some sense. They have young talent at every position and can afford to consolidate. Maybe something like Harris and Bamba for CJ? 

[Celtics2021]

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

I would think so, but if “negative value” is true, the price would be cheap.

Who do the Pels have to match that big salary?

Garrett temple, Tomas Satoransky, and Devonte Graham work salarywise.  That’d save Portland a lot of money next year.

[todd_days_41]

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

I would think so, but if “negative value” is true, the price would be cheap.

Maybe. But my question is this: how much does McCollum move the needle on this team? Once you trade for McCollum, I'd say you're locked into him until he's an expiring -- and the Cs will be in cap hell until then. If the Cs are going to trade for such a large slot with real assets... shouldn't they shoot higher?

[BruceBanner18]

There are statistical similarities between Kemba and McCollum that should be major red flags. I'm fact, statistically McCollum has had a bigger drop off than Kemba the last two years. We should stay far away

[Goldstar88]

I guess I just don't see why the Blazers would trade McCollum for one first round pick in the teens. He's overpaid, but the team's cap table is fairly clean going forward. Wouldn't a team who struggles to sign top tier players (like the Magic, Pels, or even Spurs) give up actual players to get him?

I would think so, but if “negative value” is true, the price would be cheap.

I don’t see why he would be considered a negative asset. He just turned 30, so he should still be in his prime throughout his contract. He’s averaging 21ppg, 4reb, 4asts, while shooting nearly 40% from 3pt. Considering his age and contract, I’d rather have him over Lillard.

[Moranis]

I'd love a scenario of something like this

Boston - McCollum, Covington, Sabonis, McConnell
Indiana - Smart, R. Williams, 24 1st
Portland - Horford, Nesmith, Langford, G. Williams, 22 1st, 22 2nd, pick swaps 23 and 25

New Roster (2 open spots)

PG - McCollum, McConnell, Pritchard
SG - Brown, Richardson, Dozier
SF - Tatum
PF - Covington, Fernando
C - Sabonis, Freedom, Bol

[jambr380]

I would be satisfied with something like Roy's deal, but am all set giving up multiple rotation players AND multiple 1sts for McCollum. He is a very good player and would be that 3rd scorer/creator we need, but he isn't an All-Star and we only get one chance if we are trading a multiple 1sts package away.

[todd_days_41]

I'd love a scenario of something like this

Boston - McCollum, Covington, Sabonis, McConnell
Indiana - Smart, R. Williams, 24 1st
Portland - Horford, Nesmith, Langford, G. Williams, 22 1st, 22 2nd, pick swaps 23 and 25

New Roster (2 open spots)

PG - McCollum, McConnell, Pritchard
SG - Brown, Richardson, Dozier
SF - Tatum
PF - Covington, Fernando
C - Sabonis, Freedom, Bol

This all makes a ton of sense, except:

• McCollum isn't a PG
• McConnell sucks
• Brown isn't a SG
• Fernando isn't a PF
• Sabonis isn't a C (or shouldn't be)
• We're not trading Williams
• We're not acquiring McCollum and Sabonis in the same deal
• Sabonis is a really questionable fit with two ball dominant players like Brown and Tatum
• Indiana isn't trading Sabonis

Might I recommend you put down the Trade Machine..... and walk away.[/list]