Trail Blazers Rumors: Lillard, McCollum, Simmons, Trades, Billups

There is a lot of buzz going on in Portland right now, and for the last few years, CJ McCollum‘s name has appeared in trade rumors due to Damian Lillard‘s persistent request to upgrade their roster.

It wouldn’t be hard to blame McCollum if he felt slighted in any sort of way. However, he remains close to his longtime backcourt partner, he opens up in an interview with Jason Quick of The Athletic.

“Me and Dame have a good relationship,” McCollum said. “I think when Dame speaks, you hear him. When you hear ‘sources’ and ‘anonymous,’ I don’t necessarily know if that is Dame or not, because it’s not Dame putting his name on it. He generally puts his name on things. I know where he stands with me, and he knows where I stand with him. The organization, they need to do what is best for themselves.

“… If he wanted me to leave, I think he would say that. He’s not speaking on me behind closed doors because that’s not in his DNA. He’s not built like that. He’s solid, and I know his word is his bond.”

More Trail Blazers Rumors

Lillard is growing frustrated with the Trail Blazers’ performance, as tensions appear to be increasing between him and head coach Chauncey Billups, according to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic. Lillard is also pushing for the Blazers to acquire Ben Simmons.
In that same article, Charania and Amick relay that recently fired general manager and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey set up a deal that would have sent McCollum, a first-round pick, and either Nassir Little or Anfernee Simons to Philadelphia in exchange for Simmons. The Sixers instead wanted McCollum, multiple draft picks and future draft swaps, but Portland turned it down.
Olshey was one of McCollum’s biggest believers. Now that he’s gone, McCollum’s future could appear even more uncertain in Portland. “That’s a question for somebody else,” McCollum said when asked about his future in Portland (h/t Quick). “I just do my job: show up for work and do my job.”