[The Athletic] There are rumblings that Damian Lillard is getting antsy, sources tell The Athletic. Lillard wants to win big, and he wants to do it now. McCollum seems like the obvious trade bait and it is believe the Boston Celtics could be interested.

Source: https://theathletic.com/2667978/2021/06/23/coaching-search-the-focus-on-neil-olsheys-offseason-cj-mccollum-on-the-trade-block-blazers-mailbag/

Terry Stotts is out as coach. There are rumblings that Damian Lillard is getting antsy. The calls for Neil Olshey to make a franchise-changing move are louder than ever. And the franchise’s commitment to CJ McCollum is once again being questioned.

Lillard’s 31st birthday approaches in July, and after another season in which Lillard went above and beyond to elevate the Blazers, only to be let down in the playoffs by lack of adjustments and lack of a supporting cast, there is a palpable sense of urgency coming from Lillard’s camp. Lillard wants to win big, and he wants to do it now, and following the Blazers’ first-round exit at the hands of a shorthanded Denver roster, it wasn’t hard to see Lillard’s frustration.

Olshey has acknowledged that over the years, any move of note — a trade or free-agent signing — has been first run by Lillard to receive his endorsement. If Lillard thinks Simmons could work, then that’s the type of move that gives the Blazers a chance to make an instant jump because it addresses their biggest weakness: defense. I’ve also heard Boston could be interested in a player like McCollum, and I’ve always thought Marcus Smart and his defense would be a great pairing in Portland (obviously it would take more to make salaries match, but Smart would be a great start).

EDIT FOR THE TITLE: *Believed. Not "believe."