Sixers

The Blazers are Blowing it Up (edit – or maybe not)

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Feb 8th, 2022 · 10:28 AM EST

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Trade news that impacts the Sixers ahead of Thursday’s deadline:

The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a deal to acquire Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum for a package around Josh Hart and draft compensation, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2022

Portland is blowing it up. This week they’ve moved C.J. McCollum, Norman Powell, and Robert Covington. They are below the luxury tax threshold and doing a total reboot here, which should open the door to a Damian Lillard trade.

Lillard is currently on the shelf while recovering from abdominal surgery, so if the Sixers were able to work a Simmons/Lillard deal, he wouldn’t be playing right away. Not sure that should deter Daryl Morey from pursuit, though. Lillard was one of the top targets we all originally identified this offseason, and just needed to wait to see what Portland ended up doing, which now is scrapping the entire thing and starting over. Lillard should be available, and the only question is where he wants to go. Should be able to convince him to play with MVP candidate Joel Embiid and pursue a ring, but what do I know?

FYI, Lillard has three more years at 40+ million and then becomes a free agent in 2025, at age 35.

EDIT –

Woj has the full deal –

Full trade, per sources:
Blazers: Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, Didi Louzada, 2022 protected first-round pick, two second-round picks.
Pelicans: CJ McCollum, Larry Nance, Tony Snell.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022

Good get for Portland bringing back that first rounder and NWA.

EDIT 2 –

Portland's plan is to fully reshape roster around Damian Lillard now. Portland created a $21M trade exception today, potentially $60M in salary cap space this summer, multiple draft picks and assets via Pels and Clippers trades. Plan is to pursue high-end talent now, not retreat.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2022

fuck outta here with that