NBA Rumors: Portland Trail Blazers 'Will Not Entertain' Trades For CJ McCollum

The 2021 NBA offseason is officially in full swing as the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate their first title in half a century in a Game 6 Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns.

While Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the organization enjoyed their parade in Milwaukee, the rest of the NBA is looking to make moves that will make them competitive enough to knock off the Bucks next season.

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking to sign Kyle Lowry as Lonzo Ball hits restricted free agency, Kawhi Leonard is expected to opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Suns are waiting with bated breath for Chris Paul’s decision.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are having a rough start to their offseason.

It was reported last month that the Blazers and their All-Star point guard Damian Lillard are butting heads over the team’s construction as Lillard expressed his doubts as to whether the team can build a title-contending team around him.

Many have believed that Lillard will be the one to stay in Portland over co-star CJ McCollum since his impact is greater than that of McCollum, but the Blazers are keen on keeping their backcourt together.

Jason Quick of The Athletic reported that the team is not looking to break apart the duo as they are in “win-now” mode and that any offers for McCollum that feature draft picks will not be entertained.

The Blazers have reportedly received upper-lottery picks for McCollum according to Quick, but General Manager Nick Olshey is keen on keeping McCollum.

The team doesn’t have any draft picks this year after they traded two first-rounders to Houston for Robert Covington last November, nor do they have any second-rounders but Olshey is looking to acquire some prior to the draft.

Their biggest problems this year were a lack of depth on the wings and health.

Derrick Jones Jr. has not proven to be the answer despite his length, and Nassir Little is still too young of a player to be depended on.

Torrey Craig of the Suns should be a priority target for them this offseason as his contract comes off the books.

Should the Suns re-sign Craig, they have a ton of free agents to choose from that could provide immediate help on the wings in Otto Porter Jr., Kelly Oubre, Will Barton, James Ennis III and Nicolas Batum.

Olshey and the Blazers have Norman Powell, Enes Kanter, Carmelo Anthony and Zach Collins all coming off the books this offseason, with Jones Jr. holding a player option.

They’re expected to keep Kanter, as he has been able to hold down the center position during Jusuf Nurkic’s absence, Powell, who has been a great contributor for them, and Anthony for his bench production.

Lillard hasn’t explicitly asked for a trade out of Portland, but the Blazers will have to start moving now if they want to prevent that outcome.