Who would you trade CJ McCollum for?

[Dan Marang]

I'm in the midst of doing some research for the article/podcast this week and with all of the crazy Bill Simmons "who says no?" type trades out there, one thing kept popping up in my mind- "who would Blazers fans be okay with trading CJ for?"

Kevin Love and Blake Griffin have already been brought up, so the level of which national writers are talking is pretty high. I'd like to preface this with who would you REALISTICALLY be okay with trading CJ for- but one man's realism is another man's pipe dream. Keep in mind the salary cap, form and fit, and the timeline laid out by Olshey and who's the guy you're willing to give up CJ for?

Does a CJ for Andrew Wiggins deal go past what you think could happen? Let's hear the ideas, I'm genuinely interested in what the hive has to say.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

CJ is basically just below all-star level offensively, with still a little potential for growth. Any trade of CJ would have to return a player who either already performs at a level higher than CJ (Paul George, Blake Griffin) or is perceived to have a ceiling that is higher than CJ's (Andrew Wiggins, Jahlil Okafor, Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, etc). Players like Kevin Love or even D'angelo Russell probably don't fit the bill. I'd be on the fence about Victor Oladipo.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Not sure it is realistic but the one SG I would trade him for is Jimmy Butler (I don't feel Harden or Klay are realistic at all - of course). No other SG would tempt me as I would rather just keep CJ. Not saying he is 4th best SG necessarily but someone like DeRozan is going to get max and for that money I don't see him as a huge upgrade over CJ. I think you could make a case of CJ being the 6th-8th best SG in the whole league at the moment though.

Now other positions would bring more players. Will try to make these as realistic as I can:

SF:
Paul George (would have to be in a package I think.

PF:
Derrick Favors

C:
Greg Monroe (I honestly not sure I would do it but doubt Bucks would for CJ alone anyways)

I not going to bother with PG.

Guys I don't want at all (for CJ at least): Wade, Gay, Faried, Kanter, Lopez,

 

[Natebishop3]

Not sure it is realistic but the one SG I would trade him for is Jimmy Butler (I don't feel Harden or Klay are realistic at all - of course). No other SG would tempt me as I would rather just keep CJ. Not saying he is 4th best SG necessarily but someone like DeRozan is going to get max and for that money I don't see him as a huge upgrade over CJ. I think you could make a case of CJ being the 6th-8th best SG in the whole league at the moment though.

Now other positions would bring more players. Will try to make these as realistic as I can:

SF:
Paul George (would have to be a in a package I think.

PF:
Derrick Favors

C:
Greg Monroe (I honestly not sure I would do it but doubt Bucks would for CJ alone anyways)

I not going to bother with PG.

Guys I don't want at all (for CJ at least): Wade, Gay, Faried, Kanter, Lopez,

I would do CJ/Plumlee/Leonard for Paul George.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I would do CJ/Plumlee/Leonard for Paul George.

That is giving up a lot. I would do CJ plus one of the 2 personally (and a pick) but I do love me some Paul George and would love to get him.

 

[riverman]

I would do CJ/Plumlee/Leonard for Paul George.

That's my number one choice..he needs to get out of Indiana and they need to rebuild...best SF fit for the Blazers discounting a chance at Lebron or Durant although I'd move CJ, Kaman and Henderson or Harkless and keep Plumlee and Leonard in the deal..throw in future draft pick or two

 

[Dan Marang]

CJ is basically just below all-star level offensively, with still a little potential for growth. Any trade of CJ would have to return a player who either already performs at a level higher than CJ (Paul George, Blake Griffin) or is perceived to have a ceiling that is higher than CJ's (Andrew Wiggins, Jahlil Okafor, Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, etc). Players like Kevin Love or even D'angelo Russell probably don't fit the bill. I'd be on the fence about Victor Oladipo.

I like the reasoning there. I know there's been much made about how CJ and Dame CAN coexist together and be this super-awesome-totally-cool backcourt, but I'm not sold on it yet. Please don't take this as me saying I WANT to trade CJ- that's not the case. My personal belief is he has until the end of next season to show it can work on both ends of the court. If the Blazers were to move CJ I think they would best be served targeting the SF position- Wiggins and Paul George would be my go to names. The one you brought up that I've often thought would be a fun one to dive into- Oladipo. He's nowhere near the offensive player that CJ is, but defensively he's fantastic. In the trade world I would say that CJ is worth quite a bit more than 'Dipo, so this is where it gets interesting- would a Oladipo/Vucevic package for CJ + (insert big here) interest Blazer fans?

 

[Dan Marang]

Not sure it is realistic but the one SG I would trade him for is Jimmy Butler (I don't feel Harden or Klay are realistic at all - of course). No other SG would tempt me as I would rather just keep CJ. Not saying he is 4th best SG necessarily but someone like DeRozan is going to get max and for that money I don't see him as a huge upgrade over CJ. I think you could make a case of CJ being the 6th-8th best SG in the whole league at the moment though.

Now other positions would bring more players. Will try to make these as realistic as I can:

SF:
Paul George (would have to be in a package I think.

PF:
Derrick Favors

C:
Greg Monroe (I honestly not sure I would do it but doubt Bucks would for CJ alone anyways)

I not going to bother with PG.

Guys I don't want at all (for CJ at least): Wade, Gay, Faried, Kanter, Lopez,

The Monroe one I'm not a real fan of- offensively he's grown into the player many thought he would be coming out of college, but he's still weak on the defensive end.

Favors is definitely an interesting choice. Would you play him at the 4 or the 5? Would you rather have Favors over Gobert?

Matt Moore at HardwoodParoxysm threw out a Crabbe/Davis for Rudy Gay deal that had my interest slightly grabbed but personally, I'd rather it be Crabbe/Plumlee- with that in mind I think it's fair to say CJ is on a higher tier than Gay as far as trade value is perceived.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

The one you brought up that I've often thought would be a fun one to dive into- Oladipo. He's nowhere near the offensive player that CJ is, but defensively he's fantastic. In the trade world I would say that CJ is worth quite a bit more than 'Dipo, so this is where it gets interesting- would a Oladipo/Vucevic package for CJ + (insert big here) interest Blazer fans?

I would love to get Vucevic but I think ORL values him highly. Can't see it happening with CJ alone for him so not sure you get Oladipo and him for CJ and Plumlee for example.

 

[Natebishop3]

That is giving up a lot. I would do CJ plus one of the 2 personally (and a pick) but I do love me some Paul George and would love to get him.

I just don't value Leonard very highly, so to me he's a sweetner, but the meat and potatoes is CJ/Plums. Honestly, I'd rather deal Davis. I like Plumlee a lot.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

The Monroe one I'm not a real fan of- offensively he's grown into the player many thought he would be coming out of college, but he's still weak on the defensive end.

Favors is definitely an interesting choice. Would you play him at the 4 or the 5? Would you rather have Favors over Gobert?

Matt Moore at HardwoodParoxysm through out a Crabbe/Davis for Rudy Gay deal that had my interest slightly grabbed but personally, I'd rather it be Crabbe/Plumlee- with that in mind I think it's fair to say CJ is on a higher tier than Gay as far as trade value is perceived.

I wouldn't mind Monroe but not for CJ.

No I wouldn't rather have Favors over Gobert but him getting moved is a lot more realistic imo. And he isn't that far behind Gobert in my eyes. I would play him at PF personally but he can play both positions and where you play him kind of depends on who you keep among the bigs going into the future.

I guess I wouldn't want Gay unless he was given away. I know he is worth more then Crabbe but not sure I wouldn't want to even give them a guy like that. I just pass on him period.

 

[riverman]

Vucevic and Oladipo....I'd make that trade in a heartbeat...Vucevic is the main piece of that trade to me

 

[Natebishop3]

Vucevic and Oladipo....I'd make that trade in a heartbeat...Vucevic is the main piece of that trade to me

I would too, but that's too much. It would have to be CJ/Vonleh most likely.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I would trade him for 3 of Philly's 1st round draft picks.

 

[RR7]

I'm looking team by team, for fun.
East

Cleveland: Lebron, Love, Irving
Toronto: Maybe Derozan, but that seems irrelevant, since they're in 2nd, so wouldn't move him, and he's a FA.
Chicago: Butler
Boston: Nobody straight up
Atlanta: Likely nobody
Miami:Nobody(Bosh to a 3rd team for more value our way?)
Indiana: George
Detroit: Drummond
NYorzingis
Charlotte: I'd need more with MKG
Washington: Wall, to flip elsewhere
Milwaukee: Middleton, Giannis
Orlando: Nobody straight up
Brooklyn: Nobody
Philly: I'm just not a huge fan of either Noel or Okafor in a straight swap.

West

GS: Curry, Thompson, Draymond
SA: Kawhi
OKC: Durant, Westbrook, likely Ibaka as well
Clippers: Paul, Blake, maybe Jordan as well
Memphis: Marc
Dallas: Nobody
Houston: Harden
Utah: Favors, maybe on Hayward and Gobert
Sacramento: Cousins
New Orleans: Davis
Denver: Nobody straight up
Minnesota: Wiggins, Towns
Phoenix: nobody
LAL: nobody

Obviously with a lot of teams, if pieces were added up together, I can see a deal I'd probably like.

 

[RR7]

I would too, but that's too much. It would have to be CJ/Vonleh most likely.

Hate the thought of that. Oladipo can't shoot, and Vucevic is horrible on defense.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Anxious to see Wiggins tonight. I have heard he has been struggling this year with his shooting. Still a good player, but not the super star associated with the #1 pick.

 

[BonesJones]

I would do CJ/Plumlee/Leonard for Paul George.

That is giving up a lot. I would do CJ plus one of the 2 personally (and a pick) but I do love me some Paul George and would love to get him.

Hell yeah you'd do that. Give them Davis too. We would have the capspace to sign someone like Horford and Durant. I think Horfords gonna leave and Paul George and Lillard could bring him her.

And you can't tell me we wouldn't be one of Durants top choices if we were pitching him a big 4 if he joins Lillard George and Horford

 

[Denny Crane]

FWIW, CJ gets you a Love only if he's worn out his welcome in Cleveland. He hasn't, so there is no such deal. Look for guys the team wants to get rid of and you have potential trade targets.

I don't think anyone wants Plumlee/Leonard as a sweetener for a superstar in return. Why un-consolidate like that?

 

[theprunetang]

I wouldn't trade cj for Wiggins personally. He can score, but he doesn't really do anything else. Sure, there is potential, but he is currently looking like Rudy Gay out there.

 

[BonesJones]

Anxious to see Wiggins tonight. I have heard he has been struggling this year with his shooting. Still a good player, but not the super star associated with the #1 pick.

I have a feeling we'll be saying the same thing about Simmons in a couple years.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I have a feeling we'll be saying the same thing about Simmons in a couple years.

It really does come down to outside shooting for wing players. Durant was a "great" shooter in his one year in college and is in the NBA as well.

Wiggins was a good but not great shooter in college and has yet to become one in the NBA. Still early, but if he never does then he will never be a great nBA player.

I have no idea about Simmons. I see a lot of highlights for him but none are from deep. If he plays SF in the NBA he will need to be a great outside shooter to be a great NBA player IMO. It is too easy to defend the ones who can't score from everywhere. (3pt, mid range and attacking the basket) You have to be able to do it all.

 

[riverman]

Hate the thought of that. Oladipo can't shoot, and Vucevic is horrible on defense.

first game I saw Vucevic play he got 29 pts and 29 rebounds...he's a beast..better than B Lopez anyday. He's a perfect Stotts big man...and it's not like CJ is a defensive stopper either..scoring for scoring. Oladipo is a great defender

 

[BonesJones]

It really does come down to outside shooting for wing players. Durant was a "great" shooter in his one year in college and is in the NBA as well.

Wiggins was a good but not great shooter in college and has yet to become one in the NBA. Still early, but if he never does then he will never be a great nBA player.

I have no idea about Simmons. I see a lot of highlights for him but none are from deep. If he plays SF in the NBA he will need to be a great outside shooter to be a great NBA player IMO. It is too easy to defend the ones who can't score from everywhere. (3pt, mid range and attacking the basket) You have to be able to do it all.

I think he'll be a power forward and small ball center.

With the way the NBA is going I wonder if they'll change the "power" forward moniker at somepoint.

 

[TBpup]

I wouldn't trade cj for Wiggins personally. He can score, but he doesn't really do anything else. Sure, there is potential, but he is currently looking like Rudy Gay out there.

So are you talking about CJ or Wiggins? Their statistics are quite similar this season with Wiggins shooting better from the field and CJ better from '3'. They average the same amount of minutes, get the same amount of rebounds and CJ gets 4.4 assists compared to 1.8. One big difference is CJ is 24 and Wiggins is 20. Wiggins is doing this at a point when CJ was still in college. Wiggins gets to the line much more often and for his career, has higher numbers than CJ.

So both can score, neither plays very good defense, CJ passes more, Wiggins gets to the line more often. If it were possible, I would strongly consider it because while CJ might be a bit more polished, Wiggins isn't that far behind, is 4 years younger and at 6'8", more of a potential mismatch down the road.

 

[Denny Crane]

So are you talking about CJ or Wiggins? Their statistics are quite similar this season with Wiggins shooting better from the field and CJ better from '3'. They average the same amount of minutes, get the same amount of rebounds and CJ gets 4.4 assists compared to 1.8. One big difference is CJ is 24 and Wiggins is 20. Wiggins is doing this at a point when CJ was still in college. Wiggins gets to the line much more often and for his career, has higher numbers than CJ.

So both can score, neither plays very good defense, CJ passes more, Wiggins gets to the line more often. If it were possible, I would strongly consider it because while CJ might be a bit more polished, Wiggins isn't that far behind, is 4 years younger and at 6'8", more of a potential mismatch down the road.

Minny would be nuts to make this trade

 

[Blazinaway]

CJ for Monroe is a big time overpay by us, he could be had IMO easily without CJ
Vucevic's D is simply really bad and frankly CJ for Vuc is IMO an overpay, would need more coming back.

I'd like a defensive shot blocking C who can guard many positions, so I like CJ for Nerlens Noel
I

 

[Dan Marang]

I wouldn't trade cj for Wiggins personally. He can score, but he doesn't really do anything else. Sure, there is potential, but he is currently looking like Rudy Gay out there.

just an FYI look, but Wiggins is already one of the best defenders in the league. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him on the same kind of growth curve as Kawhi.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Does a CJ for Andrew Wiggins deal go past what you think could happen? Let's hear the ideas, I'm genuinely interested in what the hive has to say.

I've got to say: I'm not opposed to trading CJ, but I have been underwhelmed by Wiggins. He's a solid scorer but he seems to be a net "meh" for his influence on a game. CJ can already score. If Wiggins was a lockdown wing defender or had possible point-forward ability, then sure. But neither appears true. I see him as a Rudy Gay type down the road. I wouldn't do CJ for Wiggins.

I'm sure I'm pretty much alone in this position, but I'd be more likely to consider Tristan Thompson (if we're trading for Canadians). I'm sure the vast majority of people think Wiggins is way better than Thompson, but (a) who cares? and (b) certainly not at the areas we're weak in, predominantly a versatile excellent frontcourt defender.

Again going out alone on a limb: I think down the road Kyle Anderson is going to be a very good player, and pretty much unique. What I like most about him is that he could pair in a backcourt with Lillard and give us great size while allowing Lillard to play off the ball. Right now there's no question that CJ is the more developed player, but Anderson broke out in Summer League and would be getting major minutes on a worse team. If we got him as part of a package for CJ I wouldn't cry. Of course, sending another Blazer to the Spurs might just break this board.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

just an FYI look, but Wiggins is already one of the best defenders in the league. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him on the same kind of growth curve as Kawhi.

Just read this (having said Wiggins isn't). What's your evidence? That would change my view (but also make a trade very unlikely - why would the Wolves do that?)

(For what it's worth, Wiggins is ranked 88th out of 90 shooting guards in DRPM. Right below Bojan Bogdanovic. His teammate, the notorious matador Kevin Martin, is 81st.)