CJ McCollum lands with Boston Celtics in FW’s Marcus Smart mock trade

The rumor mill is scorching hot right now in the NBA, and since the Boston Celtics are both not good enough to win a title as is but also possess the level of talent that should have them in contention, they are in the middle of it.

Robert Williams’ name was mentioned as one that is drawing interest from other franchises, but Cs fans know it’s going to take something massive to get Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens to part with Jayson Tatum’s favorite teammate.

What’s more likely? A deal that opens up playing time for young guns like Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford, and/or Payton Pritchard.

Obviously, that means that the backcourt will need some shakeups, and Fadeaway World’s Lee Tran came up with a mock trade that consolidates talent and opens up those minutes…though at the expense of one of the aforementioned names:

"Boston Celtics Receive: CJ McCollumPortland Trail Blazers Receive: Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson, Aaron Nesmith, 2024 first-round pick (BOS)"

Why the Boston Celtics do it

The price is somewhat steep to land CJ McCollum here, but the shakeup could potentially be worth it, assuming Aaron Nesmith doesn’t take any big leaps in Portland and that 2024 first-rounder isn’t a lottery pick.

CJ McCollum is a much superior offensive threat to either Marcus Smart or Josh Richardson, and can act as the lead guard as he’s been forced to since Damian Lillard’s potentially season-ending abdomen injury. He can be the lead pilot of the offense in spurts Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are on the pine.

That is the sort of move Brad Stevens and co. must consider since the pair has proven time and again that they are not the reason the team is losing. While this is a big swing, it’s not the sort of all-in move that would leave the team shorthanded moving forward.

Why the Portland Trail Blazers do it

If Damian Lillard isn’t returning this season, perhaps reshuffling the deck around him is the best way forward.

Marcus Smart would be quite the defensive backcourt complement, being able to guard the best opposing perimeter players to take some responsibilities off Lillard so he can focus more energy on the offensive end.

Josh Richardson and Aaron Nesmith adds more depth on the wing, and getting a first-round pick for McCollum’s deal cinches this as plausible for Portland.