Reinforcements are on the way for the Pelicans’ play-in push. New Orleans acquired CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell from the Blazers on Tuesday, in exchange for Josh Hart, Tomáš Satoranský, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, Didi Louzada, a protected first-round pick and two second-round picks, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
McCollum, 30, is averaging 20.5 points per game this season, and is signed through 2024. Nance, who has not played since Jan. 5 is signed through ’23.
The trade continues the teardown in Portland, which also dealt away Robert Covington and Norm Powell this week. Satoranský is in the final year of his contract and Hart’s contract is not guaranteed for next season, while Walker-Alexander and Louzada combine to make less than $10 million in 2022–23. Let’s grade the deal for both sides.
