The NBA trade season is upon us, and on Wednesday, the Pelicans and Blazers made a big deal. Portland sent CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell to New Orleans for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Didi Louzada, Tomáš Satoranský, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, and two future second-round draft picks.
The 30-year-old McCollum, who is the deal’s centerpiece, has appeared in 36 games for Portland this season, averaging 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. With the addition of McCollum, the Pelicans are looking to form a solid trio with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
Portland has been busy in the last couple of weeks as they traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and the Pistons 2025 second-round pick.
For the Blazers, it appears that a retooling is going on. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers will have around $60 million in cap space this summer to build a better roster around six-time All-Star Damian Lillard. Plus, Portland got some decent draft assets in this deal, which could improve the talent on this roster.
Besides McCollum, the Pelicans added the following:
Nance Jr., 29, has appeared in 37 games (11 starts) for Portland this season, averaging 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 23.2 minutes per game.
This season, Snell, 30, has appeared in 38 games (10 starts) for Portland, averaging 2.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.
For the Blazers, they added the following:
Alexander-Walker, 23, has appeared in 50 games (19 starts) for the Pelicans this season, averaging 12.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 26.3 minutes per game.
The 29-year-old Hart appeared in 41 games (40 starts) for New Orleans this season, averaging 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.
Louzada, 22, appeared in five games off the bench for the Pelicans over the last two seasons, averaging 1.6 points and 1.0 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game.
The 30-year-old Satoranský is averaging 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
