Bradley for McCollum (idea)

[Eddie20]

Bradley for McCollum


Why for C's?
Not sure how many have had the opportunity to watch McCollum play, but he is extremely talented. Even though he's a good shooter (39% from 3's), he's even better with the ball in his hands and creating offense. He's not the defender Bradley is, but he gives us another ball-handler that can penetrate and create offense.

In 3 games running the point (Lillard is out injured)
He's averaged 25ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 7.3 apg.

Why for Blazers?
Lillard is on the team and the ball runs through him. He's also not the best defender around. So complimenting him with a better defender/better spot up shooter (McCollum is a better shooter creating off the dribble) and a player that doesn't need the ball in his hands seems like a perfect fit.


Disclaimer: I'm a big Bradley fan, so this is strictly based on both teams needs.

[Rondo9]

The Blazers are planning to build around Lillard, so I think Mccollum will be their Bradley Beal.

[Eddie20]

The Blazers are planning to build around Lillard, so I think Mccollum will be their Bradley Beal.

They definitely are, but would Bradley compliment Lillard better? Conversely, would McCollum compliment our roster and fill our needs better?

Oh, and McCollum and Beal are different type of players. Beal can handle the ball a bit, but not like McCollum. McCollum thrives with the ball in his hands.

[CelticSince83]

The Blazers are planning to build around Lillard, so I think Mccollum will be their Bradley Beal.

They definitely are, but would Bradley compliment Lillard better? Conversely, would McCollum compliment our roster and fill our needs better?

Oh, and McCollum and Beal are different type of players. Beal can handle the ball a bit, but not like McCollum. McCollum thrives with the ball in his hands.

Bradley would complement Lillard better.  McCollum would not be a good pairing with IT, but would be perfect with Smart.  Personally I would go with IT/Bradley and not do this deal.  I think Bradley is a great locker room guy also who plays his heart out every night and would hate to lose that in a somewhat lateral move.

[saltlover]

I've seen worse ideas here.  Still, this is more of an offseason trade than a mid season one -- Blazers have no reason to make that kind of shakeup in a year that is supposed to be like the first year of the Stevens era.  Get the draft pick, sign some free agents, and then see what your team looks like before making a trade of McCollum.  Also get a feel as to what it costs to sign him to an extension

[TheFlex]

I think it'd be a non-starter for Portland. When comparing individual players, especially players that are expected to be at least the 4th or 5th best players on a contender, offense matters more than defense, and McCollum is superior offensively to Bradley. In addition, this is McCollum's first shot at starting, so he's likely to improve, while Bradley is likely close to his ceiling.

That doesn't mean Bradley isn't a great player to have. Above-average offensively without needing the ball in his hands, significantly above average defensively, still young, still on the books for cheap money, etc. But I think the Blazers would only part with McCollum in a package for a better player.

[BballTim]

I think it'd be a non-starter for Portland. When comparing individual players, especially players that are expected to be at least the 4th or 5th best players on a contender, offense matters more than defense, and McCollum is superior offensively to Bradley.

  I would disagree with this. In general the top few players on a contending team do the bulk of the scoring and the 4th-5th best players are as often as not players that do other things well.

[jpotter33]

I like it, though I also think it's more of an offseason trade and I'm unsure of whether or not Portland does it.

[CelticSince83]

I think it'd be a non-starter for Portland. When comparing individual players, especially players that are expected to be at least the 4th or 5th best players on a contender, offense matters more than defense, and McCollum is superior offensively to Bradley.

  I would disagree with this. In general the top few players on a contending team do the bulk of the scoring and the 4th-5th best players are as often as not players that do other things well.

Since everyone in the league seems to want to play with the ball in their hands, isn't there not s premium on guys who can score without the ball?  I would think AB is the perfect 4th or 5th starter on a contender as a 3 and D guy. 

[max215]

I like it a lot, and it makes sense, but I doubt Portland would do it.

[TheFlex]

I think it'd be a non-starter for Portland. When comparing individual players, especially players that are expected to be at least the 4th or 5th best players on a contender, offense matters more than defense, and McCollum is superior offensively to Bradley.

  I would disagree with this. In general the top few players on a contending team do the bulk of the scoring and the 4th-5th best players are as often as not players that do other things well.

That's fair, which is why Bradley would probably be just as good a 4th or 5th offensive option as McCollum. But, McCollum has the potential to be the 2nd or 3rd offensive banana.