Portland Trail Blazers: Sorry CJ, but Let’s Go Clippers!
Ed Stein
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Friday night’s play-in game between the New Orleans and Los Angeles (Clippers) has vast implications for the Portland Trail Blazers.
It’s been a long NBA season. Unfortunately, for Portland Trail Blazers fans, 2021-2022 felt more like five years instead as they limped to the finish line with a 27-55 record. But it’s not all doom and gloom.
With the league’s six-worst record, the Blazers have a decent chance to land a top-three pick in the lottery. But, wait, there’s more.
As part of the trade that sent Rip City’s favorite CJ McCollum to New Orleans, the Portland Trail Blazers got a conditional 2022 first-round pick. Here’s where the sorry CJ part comes in.
This year, the pick comes to Portland if it’s between numbers 5 and 14. NOP’s chances of landing in the top four are 9.4 percent, so there isn’t much to worry about on that end. But if the Pelicans win Friday night in Los Angeles, it takes them out of the draft lottery. That means the Blazers must wait another year to collect.
To his credit and Portland’s dismay, McCollum was a machine Wednesday night in the Pelicans’ first play-in game, a win over San Antonio. He had 25 points in the first half. However, the sharpshooter slowed down a little in the second, finishing with 32 points (3-of-5 from three-point range), with six rebounds, seven assists, and +16.
Damnit, Spurs. You had ONE job.
— David Deckard (@DaveDeckard) April 14, 2022
That sets up Friday night’s battle for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot against the Los Angeles Clippers. After that, it’s “win or go home” for both teams. As far as the Blazers are concerned, their rebuild hits a speed bump if NOP wins.
Big trade on the horizon
Portland needs that pick. Rumors have it that a first-round pick between 8 and 14 would be the centerpiece of a Portland Trail Blazers package to Detroit for forward Jerami Grant. With him, Portland sets a foundation for a dynamic starting five.
Coach Chauncey Billups could start 2022-23 with a lineup of Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Grant, hopefully, a re-signed Jusuf Nurkic, and the Blazers’ first-round pick, with Josh Hart and Nassir Little coming off the bench. A team like that should be enough to keep Dame happy and put Portland in contention to win the Northwest Division.
Rip City will always love McCollum, but they have to root against him in this one. Sorry CJ, it’s not personal; it’s business; you can’t win this one.
Portland Trail Blazers fans, are you rooting against CJ Friday night? Let us know in the comments section below.