The Boston Celtics have been a team that has not delivered on expectations. Even though they have two talented wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they are still stuck as being a play-in tier team.
In this article, we provide a trade scenario where the Boston Celtics acquire CJ McCollum, who could be a third option on the Boston Celtics. The Celtics would be adding an impact player without having to give up too many contributing players or draft assets.
Boston Celtics Receive: CJ McCollum
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson, Aaron Nesmith, 2024 first-round pick (BOS)
Celtics Get A Playmaking Guard Who Can Be A Third Option
Some people have suggested that the Boston Celtics’ biggest issue is the lack of a point guard and that trading Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum is unnecessary. This trade scenario would ensure they get a guard that can fill the point guard position.
CJ McCollum is traditionally known as a shooting guard, but he is a very capable playmaker and ballhandler. McCollum would immediately start at the point guard position for the team, and having him as a third option would be perfect for the Boston Celtics.
Thus far in the season, CJ McCollum has averaged 20.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 4.4 APG, while shooting 40.6% from beyond the arc. His stellar off-ball game suggests that he could play off of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and he would definitely provide spacing for both stars to drive. His shot creation ability also means that he can get his own baskets when needed.
Overall, this trade would allow the Boston Celtics to get a solid player while not having to give up either of their wings. On the Celtics, McCollum could thrive as the primary playmaker, and he would be a good positional fit for the team. This is definitely one of those trades that could help unlock the rest of the roster.
Trail Blazers Get A Solid Package For CJ McCollum
Moving on from CJ McCollum and engaging in a re-tool could be best for the Portland Trail Blazers. In this trade scenario, they would get some assets that could help the team in the now and the future.
Marcus Smart is a solid defensive guard who is well-known for his pesky defense on the perimeter. He is only shooting 30.4% from beyond the arc, but there are definitely times he can get hot from the 3PT range. The Portland Trail Blazers have often been criticized for their defense: adding Smart would help them when they’re trying to compete with Damian Lillard present next season. They could also elect to trade him later on if they choose.
Josh Richardson is a solid two-way wing player that can shoot and defend (39.8% from beyond the arc). He would help the Portland Trail Blazers as a wing stopper, while also being able to space the floor for Damian Lillard next season.
Aaron Nesmith and the pick are both assets for the future. Aaron Nesmith hasn’t gotten many minutes this year, but he was a good shooter in college, and perhaps the Trail Blazers could give him some developmental minutes this year. The pick would be a sweetener to get this deal over the finish line and could help the Trail Blazers draft a contributor in the future.
This trade would get the Trail Blazers solid value in return for CJ McCollum and would help them improve a lot defensively. This is definitely far from the worst package they could receive, and if something like this is on the table it’s worth a look.
