CJ McCollum Is Exactly What The Pelicans Need To Grow
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CJ McCollum Is Exactly What The Pelicans Need To Grow
The New Orleans Pelicans will benefit greatly from CJ McCollum now and in the future.
The New Orleans Pelicans will benefit greatly from CJ McCollum now and in the future.
On Feb. 8, the Portland Trailblazers reportedly traded CJ McCollum (and others) to the Pelicans in exchange for Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, a future first-round pick, and two future second-round selections.
The trade doesn’t sound that awesome, right? Like, it’s not something that will make a mediocre team a contender. But it’s actually a really good exchange for the young Pelicans.
So, what can this 30-year-old player do for them?
Well, he can provide them with scoring and veteran experience to help them increase their basketball I.Q. (something that’s important for young teams).
The team has been yearning for another scorer to help out Brandon Ingram ever since it was reported that Zion Williamson is going to miss a lot of time.
McCollum knows how to put points on the scoreboard and can do it well. He’s currently averaging 20.5 points on 43.6 percent shooting and those skills will help them compete for the last playoff spots.
But what’s more important is that McCollum is the veteran leader that this team needs.
He is a respectable player that’s been improving his leadership skills and has accomplished a lot in the league. Thus, he can guide his young teammates down the right path and lead by example.
He can be the big brother that calls them out -something that Charles Barkley believes the Pelicans need to be successful:
“One of the problems with the NBA has been when I came to the NBA, we had veterans. Who is the oldest player on the Pelicans?... I always thought the NBA should have a guy like, ‘hey, you have issues.’”
Final Thoughts
I think that with McCollum’s leadership and experience, the team can grow and blossom and (maybe) reach its full potential.
The Pelicans have talented players, but in the past couple of seasons, they didn’t have a leader steering them in the right direction.
McCollum, with this trade, will be that guy.
But do you think? Is it a good trade? Is McCollum the vet the Pelicans need?