3 Teams that should trade for CJ McCollum before the deadline | NBA Trade Window

CJ McCollum has been linked with an exit from the Portland Trail Blazers
CJ McCollum has been linked with an exit from the Portland Trail Blazers

CJ McCollum has grown into a borderline All-Star since being taken by the Portland Trail Blazers with the tenth overall pick back in the 2013 NBA Draft. Alongside Damian Lillard, McCollum has been part of one of the league's best backcourts and played a huge role in Portland's trip to the Western Conference Finals last season.

Nevertheless, the Blazers have failed to push on from their excellent campaign last time out, and are in danger of missing out on the postseason after a dismal 14-21 start to 2019-20.

They have lost five consecutive games and while unlikely, it's not impossible Portland could look to break up their elite backcourt pair. So if made available by the Trail Blazers, here we will examine the three teams that should make a move for McCollum:


#3 Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are believed to be eager to sign a second star to play alongside Jimmy Butler
The Miami Heat are believed to be eager to sign a second star to play alongside Jimmy Butler

Heading into the season, few expected the Miami Heat to compete. However, they have been excellent through the opening months this season and boast a much better than expected 24-9 record.

While Miami's early season form has been fuelled by the performances of an exciting group of young talent, the team continues to be linked with the likes of Chris Paul and Kevin Love as the front office looks to acquire a second star to play alongside Jimmy Butler.

With Paul and Love well into their 30s and signed to two of the NBA's worst contracts, it makes little sense for the Heat to sacrifice any of their young talents for either veteran.

However at 28, McCollum could prove worth the gamble. The guard shouldn't show much of decline over the next four seasons that he is under contract - and his presence shouldn't disrupt Kendrick Nunn's development either.

#2 Dallas Mavericks

McCollum would be an excellent fit alongside Doncic and Porzingis
McCollum would be an excellent fit alongside Doncic and Porzingis

The Dallas Mavericks have made a strong start to the season, and it is believed that an ambitious front office remains active ahead of the trade deadline.

The Mavs have been linked with players such as Andre Iguodala, although the team would benefit from adding a true third star alongside Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis - and McCollum is an ideal candidate if made available by Portland.

Tim Hardaway Jr's contract would need to be included in a potential trade to match salary and a deal would still prove difficult to conclude given Dallas' lack of assets. Nevertheless, adding McCollum would equip the Mavericks with the tools to compete with both the Lakers and Clippers come the playoffs. With the trio all signed to long-term deals - they'd also have an excellent nucleus to compete with others for the next three to four years.

#1 Philadelphia 76ers

McCollum would add reliable scoring to the Sixers backcourt
McCollum would add reliable scoring to the Sixers backcourt

After extending Tobias Harris' contract while also signing Al Horford from the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers were expected to be among the NBA's best teams this season.

However, they have lost three successive games - dropping to 23-13 for the campaign - and the team appears short on quality when it comes to challenging the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.

While Ben Simmons continues to have a significant impact on the team, the Sixers' backcourt remains short offensively and the addition of a man averaging 22.2 points on 45.5% shooting would present a major boost to their title chances.

Philadelphia would need to send Horford and at least one young player to Portland in a potential trade, although with their season not turning out as expected, it makes sense for the front office to execute another bold move.

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Edited by Mosope Ominiyi