Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been teammates with the Portland Trail Blazers since they were both drafted by the team in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The duo formed an elite backcourt for the better part of the last decade, helping the Blazers challenge for major honors and taking them as far as the Western Conference Finals. So it was quite an intense moment on Tuesday when it was announced that McCollum would be traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Lillard is losing his teammate of over 8 years, which is an understandably emotional situation even if it had become evident that the two together wouldn’t be enough to take the Blazers to a championship. Dame posted on Instagram showing love for CJ in the caption and suggesting that love between the two would always remain despite McCollum being moved on to another franchise.
“Grateful for our brotherhood and friendship above all bra… we knew this day would come but it doesn’t make it any easier. Hurt my heart to know shit won’t be the same but the love gone always remain C! You know what time it is with me always. All the best going forward my brother.”
Lillard addressed the fact that a move like this was inevitable considering that the team has been in a steep decline this season. Portland also moved on from players like Norman Powell and Larry Nance Jr. as they try to acquire the assets that will allow them to aggressively build around Lillard for next season.
For his part, McCollum’s points per game average had fallen to below 21 for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The team are outside the play-in spots in the Western Conference and have seemingly chosen this season to reboot the roster around Lillard to maximize the last few years of his prime. While losing McCollum can’t be considered ideal, the Blazers will be looking forward to seeing what they can do with the assets they have received and the salary that they have freed up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYmSd9Qoepk
