CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers.
Rumors are swirling that the New York Knicks are interested in CJ McCollum. The only player of value signed to a decent contract NYK has with a value anywhere near CJ and that the Portland Trail Blazers might want is Julius Randle. It’s either that or a package built around Evan Fournier, who is an unlikely target after Portland’s trade with LAC last week.
Here’s what our Pacific Northwest Sports contributors had to say about this rumor in our staff chat.
Apparently, the Knicks are trying to Get McCollum. Salary wise it would have to be Randle-centric.
That’s interesting. I think Randle with Dame would be an interesting combo.
AE: He’d fill a need in Portland, and he’s younger than McCollum. His deal is for four more years and with salaries of $23, $25, $27, and $29M. McCollum is at $33 and $36M. So the Portland Trail Blazers are saving money the first two years on the deal. It would make sense for Portland. There would have to be additional salaries to make it work. Maybe Evan Fournier, Kemba Walker, or Alec Burks would fit. I’d take Walker, just use him as an expiring next year or buy him out.
Isn’t Randle basically who the Knicks built around? Or is it “handle with kid gloves” Derrick Rose? Moving Randle would seem to be a lateral move for the organization.
ES: CJ Could be a megastar at Madison Square Garden.
AE: Randle, as the centerpiece isn’t working. He’s a good complimentary player but regressed this year. If I’m NYK, I’d rather deal Fournier, but can’t they’d find any takers. New York needs to open up minutes for Obi Toppin and Cam Reddish (they traded a first for Reddish). RJ Barret has really made progress this year and could do most of what Randle does offensively.
CP: I agree with Ed. I don’t see why CJ can’t be in a James Harden type of scenario. But still, I feel like NYK getting McCollum would just be the franchise doing a pseudo start over by giving up Randle. Now a Randle and McCollum pairing can make sense for the team to take the next step.
AE: The arent enough minutes for Barrett, Randle, McCollum, Rose, and Fournier. And who is New York sending if not Randle?
CP: A Randle for CJ swap doesn’t make sense as it feels like a lateral move for the organizations, and to my knowledge, neither player is a locker room problem where their current teams would just be wanting to jettison their player.
AE: They’re better positional fits. Portland needs a forward, and Randle would compliment Lillard and fit with Simons and Lillard. McCollum is an o. New York needs a shooter and primary scorer that can create. McCollum would slide right in with Fournier in New York’s backcourt, Barret could take on more of the offense, and Rose is back in the sixth man role that Thibodeau prefers him in.
They may be a wash in overall contributions. But they would fit the other team’s roster better than their current team. Also, Depending on what’s salaries are going where NYK may have to throw in a fist as well.
Randle for Mccollum makes the most sense, in my opinion. It might seem lateral, but it’s re-allocating talent to a needed position. Randle reminds me a little of Zach Randolph with better defense, and if you had a Randle/Nurkic tandem down low with Dame/Simons/Little spreading the floor and slashing, I think it greatly raises Portland’s ceiling and balances their offensive attack. Probably the most balanced since LaMarcus Aldridge left.
Mccollum taking over as the starting point guard in New York would give him the opportunity to blow up at the position he is actually a better fit for. I think Mccollum is more talented than Randle, and him finally being showcased would actually bring more attention to the Knicks. Randle doesn’t need to be a 24 point-per-game scorer in Portland; he just needs to be an inside presence to help balance the team.
AE: The Blazers need to get roughly $30M in salary coming back in a CJ deal. Randle is $21M, next closest Knick is Fournier at $14M. For New York to get McCollum, Randle would have to be the main piece with filler.
AE: Portland also wants to open up minutes for Simons and have Bledsoe under contract, too. Adding four years of an overpaid and washed-up player like Evan Fournier wouldn’t be too enticing.
ES: CJ gets $33.3M AAV, Portland has to receive Randle, or it wouldn’t work. They’d also have to get someone else.
First, Randle can’t handle being the primary option. Second, Rob, you gave me chills. You are spot on!
ES: Randle is such an unreliable guy.
TP: It’s not that he’s unreliable a player…he cannot be the #1 guy.
ES: Fair point.
AE: I think Randle would be very happy as the Portland Trail Blazers point forward. Do some creating, some rebounding. He hasn’t been an ego problem at all.
RR: I think of the old Pistons 2004 team that didn’t have any superstars but had an above-average starting f who were fringe all-stars based on team success. I think that is the exact kind of roster Chauncey would prefer to coach and develop. I think Randle would fit right into that kind of setup.
Do you think the Portland Trail Blazers should trade CJ McCollum for Julius Randle? Let us know in the comments section below.