Although more than ten years have passed, C.J. McCollum still recalls with a certain edge of nerves how his first major contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers unfolded.
At that time, his chemistry with Damian Lillard was just beginning to take shape; however, McCollum had just completed his best NBA season, having earned the Most Improved Player of 2015 award.
In Portland, they saw the immense potential of that backcourt, so they did not hesitate to offer him the maximum extension for 4 years and $106 million.
“My agent called me and said: I think we’re already at about 97. Then I told him: 97 what? And he said: 97 million. I told him: Accept it. Send it right away… Then he said: No, it’s still early. And I told him: Early? I don’t want to be late. Accept it. And then he replied: Trust me… I flew to Portland and when I landed the final offer was for 4 years and 106 million. I couldn’t believe it. I trembled when I signed that contract. I was like: Oh, my God, thank you so much,” said McCollum.
McCollum arrived in Portland as the 10th pick of the 2013 Draft; in his nine years there he played 564 official games, averaging 19 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
