Los Angeles Lakers: 11 realistic stars to target heading into the summer

C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers (under contract)

C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard create one of the NBA’s best backcourt tandems in the league with the Portland Trail Blazers, but there are big decisions that the franchise needs to make over the next two summers. And one of them could be choosing between their two stars.

With the option for the Blazers to extent Lillard the super max offer this summer, and already whispers that they might, that might be the first indication that the team will favor Lillard over McCollum. Both contracts expire in two years, and McCollum will be in line for a big extension soon too.

If the Blazers arrive at a place where they feel they need to build around Lillard, and could possibly use McCollum as bait to turn into multiple pieces, it wouldn’t be surprised to see them shop their second star sooner rather than later.

The Lakers could jump into a hypothetical McCollum market, and would be a great second-tier star to stick next to LeBron.