The New Orleans Pelicans have had perhaps the worst luck in the NBA this season and they are ready to turn the page and look to the future.
Will they make any moves before the trade deadline in order to try and compete in the second half of the season?
According to Shams Charania, per Evan Sidery, teams are inquiring with the Pelicans about CJ McCollum’s potential trade availability.
McCollum is under contract with New Orleans through the 2025-26 season and is making more than $30 million.
Teams are inquiring with the Pelicans about CJ McCollum’s potential trade availability, per @ShamsCharania.
McCollum is averaging 20.3 points and 3.9 assists this season for New Orleans.
The 33-year-old guard is under contract through the 2025-26 season making $30+ million. pic.twitter.com/BXCJt4eJoG
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) December 10, 2024
McCollum has only been able to play in 12 games this season because of injuries and has averaged 20.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during that time.
At 33 years old, McCollum is a proven team leader and a talented floor general.
There are plenty of teams who would be interested in signing him and acquiring his talent and experience.
It’s been bad news followed by bad news for the Pelicans this season.
They have suffered a number of major injuries in 2024–25.
In fact, on opening night they lost Dejounte Murray, but that was just the start of their series of bad breaks.
McCollum hasn’t been immune to the injury bug, but he’s back now and playing quite well.
Will this raise his trade value and help the Pelicans out if they decide to ship him away?
Who else might the Pelicans part ways with?
They are eager, desperate even, to get better as quickly as possible and haven’t given up all hope on turning things around this season.
That might lead them to cut ties with McCollum and possibly a few others before the trade deadline in February.
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