Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 NBA reunions that need to happen

By Holden Walter-Warner

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center on March 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Grizzlies 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center on March 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Grizzlies 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Why did the Pelicans trade for CJ McCollum right now?
CJ McCollum (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

4. CJ McCollum to Portland

It wasn’t long ago that CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard formed one of the NBA’s best backcourts. It wasn’t even long ago that the Portland Trail Blazers broke the duo in half, sending McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans. Still, a reunion is in order.

Despite spending his college years at unheralded Lehigh, the Trail Blazers made McCollum a lottery selection in the 2013 NBA Draft. The guard rewarded Rip City with some amazing seasons, despite never getting proper due as an All-Star.

McCollum spent more than eight seasons with the Trail Blazers. He came off the bench for his first two years but was inserted as a starter for his third season. He never looked back after that, averaging at least 20 points per game every season for the rest of his tenure, never coming off the bench again.

Last season marked the end of the road for McCollum in Portland. In February, he was dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans, along with Larry Nance Jr. in a deal that saw numerous players and picks trade hands. He signed a two-year, $64 million extension in New Orleans prior to this season.

New Orleans probably has no interest in trading McCollum or letting him walk when the extension ends. He’s putting up All-Star numbers in his first full season in the Big Easy, averaging 21.3 points and 5.8 assists per game while hitting more than 40 percent of his threes. The Pelicans have become a Western Conference contender thanks to his contributions.

After the trade, McCollum wrote an emotional post on The Players’ Tribune, detailing a wide array of emotions about leaving the only city he called home to that point of his NBA career. There’s a clear connection between McCollum and the franchise that helped mold him.

He may need to find a new place to live, though.

Home/Charlotte Hornets