The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Dallas Mavericks: Four Playoff Teams With a Chance at 2019 Lottery

By Kohl Rast

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 27: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard #0 talk during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 27: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard #0 talk during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bachman/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

It is hard to read the minds of the executives from the teams who have underperformed the most over the past few years. The Portland Trail Blazers put together one of the most dynamic backcourts in the NBA when they drafted Damian Lillard in 2012 and C.J. McCollum in 2013. After a few years of building together, Portland put together a great team and won a lot of games.

This worked out great during the regular season with the Blazers going to the playoffs every year since McCollum’s rookie season. Despite setting their team around these two guys, the team has underperformed once they got to the playoffs. Lillard and McCollum have played well, but the team has just not looked like they are built for success.

The first round sweep despite being the 3-seed in a 3-6 matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans was maybe the last straw to put Portland on the market for a change. This change will likely come in the form of shopping one of their guards which then pushes the team in a completely different direction then they have been headed.

That does not mean an immediate drop in standings, but it is a whole lot more likely. I don’t know if the Blazers want to keep going in the direction they are headed. If they change up their team and it does not meld right away, the West is too strong for hiccups. It could happen quickly.

Next: Washington Wizards