Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) walk up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
As NBA trade rumors swirl, the Trail Blazers should not throw in the towel on a Lillard-McCollum backcourt
Everyone has their own fake trade to fix the 2016-2017 Portland Trail Blazers. Most want to get rid of expensive bench players (Evan Turner and Allen Crabbe). Some want to wash their hands of the Meyers Leonard era. Others have suggested it’s time to sell high on Maurice Harkless’ breakout year.
But as Portland’s season slowly slides out of control, more and more fans want to break up the lethal backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
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Theories of how to win in the NBA always include multiple superstars. There are teams, most recently the Atlanta Hawks of 2014-2015, who display great regular season success without superstars. In the end, NBA Champions always contain multiple superstars.
Lillard is a superstar and the face of Trail Blazers’ franchise. The underlying belief surrounding the ‘Trade McCollum’ contingent is that CJ is not a superstar, but clearly holds enough value to be included as part of a package to acquire the sought after second superstar.
General Manager Neil Olshey locked up McCollum (and the rest of the young roster) long term this summer. They now rank 3rd in the league in payroll and will face a very steep luxury tax penalty over the next few seasons if something doesn’t change. Teams with a top-3 payroll don’t start out 13-15. Teams with two superstars don’t start out 13-15. Something will change.
However, fans should be weary of breaking up a Lillard-McCollum backcourt so easily. Just a year ago, the relief of finding such a young, lethal duo brought an overwhelming joy to Portland fans. A disappointing two months this season and it’s time to bail?
December 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) and center Marreese Speights (5) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
McCollum’s importance to Portland: On and off the court
McCollum’s improvement over his first few years is nothing short of remarkable. His journey started as an injured rookie – became a useful backup, blossomed into the most improved player of the NBA and now sits as one of the most efficient scorers in the league. Sure, he received a huge bump in minutes last year, but his per-36 minute’s statistics and shooting percentages all improved as well. This season, even the most pessimistic view on McCollum could not deny his offensive improvement.
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Through 28 games, McCollum is shooting 48% from the field and 47% from three-point range. There’s only one player with a higher 3PFG% than CJ, and he shoots just two a game. McCollum shoots six a game. A common criticism of his game is the reliance on pull-up jumpers, which doesn’t often lead to free throws. Elite scorers get their points when shots aren’t falling – mainly due to constant free throw attempts. McCollum not only goes to the line more often this year, but raised his FT% significantly (83% last year to 91% this year).
Lillard also is improving in a variety of different ways through his young career. He’s finishing at the rim at an elite rate this year, getting to the free throw line more often and is now an all-around scorer, rather than just a shooter.
The main complaint with the duo is obviously the defensive deficiencies. Both players couldn’t fight through a screen if their $100+ extensions depended on it. Opposing guards are constantly hitting career-highs versus the Trail Blazers. It’s definitely an issue. But if Lillard and McCollum improve so consistently each year – why can’t they improve their defense? They’re never going to be elite, but can definitely learn how to be serviceable defenders. (Maybe they can each attend the Steph Curry school-of-defensive-tricks)
Beyond the 25-year old McCollum’s improvement and room to grow, he is a powerful member of the Portland community. CJ frequently volunteers with youth and flashes his DJ-ing skills on a local radio station. The same goes for Lillard. This guard duo’s leadership is powerful to the youth in Portland. After the Jail Blazers’ era, it is quite refreshing to have community heroes like this pair.
Jan 26, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
No reason to make a panic trade
Finally, what could the Trail Blazers even receive in return for a package involving CJ? The only superstar that is likely available is DeMarcus Cousins. Yesterday, Cousins was involved in yet another incident that brings his character into question. Throw away an improving 25-year old McCollum for a gamble on the incredibly volatile Cousins? It does not sound very appealing. Especially when you consider that a Cousins-Lillard combo does not guarantee any more success than the current version of the Trail Blazers.
Let’s face it; there’s probably not a way to improve Portland enough to compete with a healthy Golden State or Cleveland Cavaliers this year or next. The whole NBA is basically doing the best they can and hoping for luck. And it’s not the worst thing to have a consistent playoff team – always waiting to pounce on a few lucky breaks like last season. Just ask Kings fans. Why not keep a lovable Trail Blazers’ backcourt together and give them a chance to further develop?
