The Portland Trail Blazers are continuing with their plans to build a team around star guards after agreeing with CJ McCollum to a three-year, $100 million extension, according to the player’s agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports. McCollum was under contract until 2021, so this extension means he will remain at Moda Center until 2024.
Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract extension — extending his current deal to five years and $157 million, his agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 30, 2019
The Blazers evidently see McCollum and Damian Lillard as crucial players for the franchise as they also secured Lillard to a four-year, $196 million extension this summer, keeping him under contract through the 2025 season. President of basketball operations Neil Olshey was happy with the agreement as he stressed how CJ and Lillard are essential for the Blazers.
“CJ McCollum is a franchise cornerstone and a critical part of our future,” Olshey said. “This extension represents a strong level of commitment between CJ, the Trail Blazers and the city of Portland.”
"It's an honor and a blessing to be in this position."@CJMcCollum weighs in on contract extension#ripcity pic.twitter.com/Mv2IJKXI1Y
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) July 30, 2019
The Blazers were successful in recent seasons, reaching the Western Conference semifinals twice and playing in the conference finals last year when the Golden State Warriors swept them.
McCollum averaged 21 points in each of the previous two campaigns and 25.3 and 24.7 points, respectively, in the postseason. The 10th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, earned the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award in 2016 and is one of the best shooting guards in the league.
