Mar 11, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts after a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Why Trail Blazers Should Make a Deal With Wizards

Originally posted on Washington Wizards on SI
By Tyrone Montgomery | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 9:00 AM ET

In business, when you don’t have much to be happy about and proud of, the least you can do is try to keep morale high. You make moves that will give you a good feeling inside, no matter what the outcome may be. Those moves feel like a celebration. The celebration isn’t your typical celebration after you have success. Rather, it’s a celebration of the past and a time to reflect on what you have done before. That is why the Washington Wizards may be in contact with the Portland Trailblazers soon.

The Wizards have had an action-packed offseason to say the least. They have been busy all summer trying to turn things around for the upcoming season. Their roster will look completely different for the second consecutive year. The acquisition of CJ McCollum will be huge for the Wizards. However, the Portland Trail Blazers may want to bring him back to their team, so they may be looking to make a deal with the Wizards.

BREAKING: Nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard is finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell ESPN. Deal is expected to include a player option in 2027-28 and a no-trade clause. A storybook reunion home for the 35-year-old. pic.twitter.com/mm1uUtMgO6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2025

The Blazers are another team that is trying to turn things around. They, too, have been busy this offseason as they traded a key player to their team, Anfernee Simons. He is a streaky scorer who can look like the best three-point shooter in the entire league. As they traded him away, the Blazers have replaced him with a legend who gave the Blazers some of their best years in franchise history, Damian Lillard.

As the Blazers acquired Lillard again, they may look to acquire another player who gave the Blazers some of their best years, CJ McCollum. The two played for many years together in Portland and had much success. The Wizards don’t have any long-term plans for McCollum. Trading him for an asset from the Blazers would be highly beneficial, as they have many attractive players and even draft picks. This move could be a celebration for the two as they would have the opportunity to reunite and retire together soon.

This article first appeared on Washington Wizards on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: