[Striver347Participant]

 I’m a Blazer fan (sometimes regrettably) and I think a glaring opportunity for us to move the needle is to trade CJ McCollum. I think Portland is a good roster shake up from actually contending.

 

The Ringer came out with an article detailing CJ McCollum for Aaron Gordon (fillers to make salaries match) and I think it’s a lovely deal. From an eye’s glance, CJ likely fares better as a 1 with the ball in his hands which Orlando desperately needs. I definitely believe he has untapped potential and his pairing with Damian isn’t the best fit. Kind of Curry/Monta Ellis instead of the high octane tandem they could be if they were both All Star caliber.

 

Gordon has to be the most underutilized player in the league. He has so much untapped potential that could come alive in Portland. We play a quicker pace and Gordon could handle the ball in transition a la Pascal Siakam. Gordon even has Blake Griffin potential in him if he reaches his potential, which I think could happen with the guard of Damian’s caliber and Nurkic’s playmaking. In fact, Nurkic is the second best Blazer and his playmaking makes it easy for me to want to part with CJ. Not to mention that we drafted two guards this past offseason.

 

[Striver347Participant]

A first rounder, CJ, and Meyers/Harkless for Gordon and Ross? Dream deals are obviously elusive but I think with this trade, both players break out and advance their careers and each franchise benefits. Not to mention Jonathan Isaac and Mo Bamba can finally get more playing time as developmental pieces in Orlando.

 

Other players like Josh Jackson, Kelly Oubre, Luke Kennard, Henry Ellenson, Hood, Jaylen Brown, Ingram (Brown and Ingram are way harder to acquire) are also players Portland dream of.

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 For CJ Detroit would ecstatically throw in a first rounder with Kennard and Ellenson if you want them. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I think if the Blazers traded Mccollum for Gordon and fillers they would be kicking themselves very shortly after the trade.

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 I agree! Getting Gordon is no upgrade from McCollum. AG can’t even dominant in the East, CJ holds his own out there, the West would eat Gordon azz up. 

[Striver347Participant]

 Negative. McCollum has a great skill set but I think he isn’t an ideal fit with Portland. Not to mention that when he’s not scoring he isn’t doing much of anything. CJ hasn’t showed much imporvement in areas like getting to the free throw line or creating plays for others. While Lillard elevates his game, CJ does so marginally, if at all. His numbers are down this season and he’s grossly overpaid.

 

Having forwards like Gordon and Aminu could help us defend the preimer wing players in the west with more confidence not to mention Gordon’s untapped potential. I’d rather bet on Gordon than live with the marginal improvements Portland has made, not to mention that our money is locked in role players until the end of next season.

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

I really like that idea for both players as I think both players could break out on these respective teams.

[The GoatParticipant]

 I think it leaves too much scoring responsibility on Lillard. CJs contribution is limited to scoring, but the Blazers need someone else to carry the load when Dame is out or needs rest.

Here’s a crazy ass idea – works for all financially

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y89jj69r

CJ to Dallas

Wes Matthews and TJ Warren to Portland

DSJ and Powell to Phoenix

Who says no?

I like the Mavs Luka CJ backcourt
Suns get their PG
Blazers get two guys that can score the ball

[XYRYXParticipant]

While CJ mightn’t be an ideal fit in Portland, I really wonder where people see all that untapped potential in Gordon. When I see Aaron Gordon play, I see no basketball IQ at all and no feel for the game. All his moves look so mechanic and he looks like a 2K player who is doing a spin move in the wrong direction or a shooter who actually isn’t any good at shooting the ball.

Any team who trades any 20 ppg player for Gordon will regret this very quickly imo. I think this is finally the year the Mavs realize they have something to build around in Doncic and they might move any of DeAndre, Smith, WM and/or Barnes. Not sure if Barnes and filler and a pick is worse then dealing for Aaron Gordon who has absolutely shown nothing to me ever that screams that he is someone who will be a difference maker. 

I actually think CJ wouldn’t be talked about as a bad fit if the Blazers wouldn’t have thrown this insane deals at Myers Leonard and Harkless who both make 10 mio per year and especially Turner who makes 18 mio this year. If people believe adding another horrible long therm deal in Gordon is better then keeping CJ who at least has a chance to be a top 5 player at his position is beyond my understanding. CJ‘s contract isn’t good I know but Aaron Gordon and his immense untapped potential, I don’t know. To me he already peaked and is not worth the gamble especially if you take into account that his contract.  

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 If im trading McCollom for Gordon, i want Isaac too or no thanks. 

Would Nurkic and Gordon clog up the paint? 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I saw the trade idea too and thought it made sense for both teams. It’s essentially a no-brainer for Orlando, which badly needs a lead ball-handler and player they can build their offense around going forward. They’ve never really figured out how to properly utilize Gordon and this would be a way to get out of the contract extension they just gave him. 

I truly believe this current version of the blazers has sort of maxed out their potential. They badly need wing help and don’t have the cap space to get it through free agency. Gordon could theoretically be exactly the type of player they need. However, trading McCollum would be a risk for sure, as he provides insurance in the case of a Lillard injury. I think whether they would ultimately pull the trigger would come down to how much they believe in Gordon and his untapped potential in a different system. 

 

[Striver347Participant]

 Right.

Everyone knows taking risks is necessary and when it could potentially move your needle, you ought to. Masai Ujiri and Toronto know this best. Not that AG is in Kawhi caliber, but there is enough untapped potential for it to be worth making a move. Not to mention AG’s contract decreases in salary annually, unless he taps into incentives (All NBA team, etc).

It’s strange that people act like it’s somehow hard to replace a 2 guard. With the litany of 3D/catch and shoot players in the NBA, it almost feels like 2 guards are the most easily replaced position. Forwards, on the other hand, are at a premium in the league.

I even think the Blazers would entertain moves for players like Hezonja and Portis, but that’s another thing entirely. Portland is in a good position next season, where three expiring contacts come off the books totaling roughly $40. That would certainly help change our roster composition. I like this theoretical move though.

 

 

 

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