3 Pelicans that earned untouchable status, 3 that should be cut loose
By Tyler Watts
New Orleans Pelicans that earned untouchable status: 2. CJ McCollum
McCollum was the team’s rock that was relied upon whenever things got tough. He was also the de-facto point guard, as he averaged a career-high 5.7 assists per game. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both provide playmaking, so the Pelicans have an exciting offensive big three when healthy.
It was the eighth consecutive year that he put up over 20 points per game. On top of that, the 31-year-old shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range, despite being the number-one option on several nights.
The Pelicans gave up four players and three draft picks to acquire McCollum at the 2022 trade deadline, and he signed an extension that will keep him in New Orleans until at least 2026. The 6’3 guard is a building block moving forward and the most trusted one of their Big 3 to stay healthy (both Ingram and Williamson missed significant periods of time with injuries).
Durability is a skill, and McCollum has it. He has played 70 or more games in six of the last eight years, including 75 last season, despite handling a larger workload than he’s normally used to.
CJ McCollum may never be an All-Star or elite defender, but finding someone that can score 20 points per game without dominating the ball is not easy. Expect the New Orleans Pelicans to keep him around as their third star with the ability to morph into a number-one option when necessary.