Damian Lillard is one of the best point guards in the NBA. There is no question about that. His backcourt mate, C.J. McCollum, is also a great guard in his own right, as his year-by-year improvement shows.
However, after making the Western Conference Finals in 2019, the Portland Trailblazers have regressed in 2020, falling below .500 for most of the season. This is mainly due to the fact that the pieces the front office brought in didn’t integrate as smoothly as they would have liked.
Lillard has been a star since being drafted
Since being drafted by the Trailblazers in 2012 NBA Draft, the 30-year-old Lillard has been outstanding. He’s a five-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA selection – once on the 1st and 3rd team and twice on the 2nd – and was the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year. Also, apart from his rookie year, Lillard led the team in win shares every year.
NBA: Lillard isn’t leaving but McCollum “has to go” discussion (86 seconds)
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Regardless of what happens to the Trailblazers this season, it’s evident that the team needs to get Lillard help. McCollum is great piece to have but he is not untouchable like Lillard is. Considering Lillard is already one of the greatest Trailblazers in team history, it makes sense why he would be untouchable. That’s why if the Trailblazers are looking to move one of their guards, McCollum is the first choice.
Although the 28-year-old McCollum’s first two years were underwhelming, he was able to improve mightily in his third year, winning the 2015-16 Most Improved Player award. For his career, he averages 18 points, three rebounds and three assists, shooting 45% from the field, 39.7% from three and 82% from the free-throw line. Any team would love to have that production, especially if it meant parting with their defensive wing.
Shooting Bricks – An NBA Podcast
In this week’s episode of the Shooting Bricks Podcast, Jarrod Castillo, Gerrel Sayles and Daniel Huynh also discuss the Philadelphia 76ers chances against the Boston Celtics without their star point forward Ben Simmons. The trio also talk about the Eastern Conference playoff matchups and which games are worth watching.