CJ McCollum Pictures Championship Future With Pelicans
CJ McCollum made the rounds on the podcast circuit in the same week he returned to face his former team. McCollum joined The Knuckleheads Pod, The Athletic's NBA show, and Sarah Spain's That's What She Said to talk more about the trade process with Portland, his future in New Orleans, and how he got to where he is today.
His comments were telling in how he sees this new opportunity in New Orleans. The top 5 takeaways gave the Pelicans a clear look into what it will take to keep McCollum in town long term.
1: Contract Extension
The first part of the equation is easy. Money. McCollum expects to get paid. He unapologetically explained he “Made a $100 million, probably another $100 million…”
New Orleans owes McCollum just over $69 million over the next two seasons. He knows he has another contract coming. The Pelicans will want to sign McCollum to an extension before he enters free agency. His extension will line up with Brandon Ingram’s new deal and hopefully stretch across most of Zion Williamson’s next contract.
McCollum might have gone low, however. A four-year deal worth $150 million is not out of the question considering how quickly he has settled into a leadership role for New Orleans.
Mar 21, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
2: McCollum, Pelicans On-Court Fit
The message to the front office was simple. Keep doing what you are doing. McCollum appreciates the organic building going back to his loyal days with Portland. He saw the foundation in New Orleans and wanted to join the Pelicans because he believes in the roster.
McCollum wanted a move to the Pelicans because “They've got a lot of young talent. They’ve got a lot of really good basketball players...There's a lot of talent on this roster, and I think I can get the most not only out of my career, out of my situation, out of my development, but also out of the guys. I know what it takes to be successful consistently…I’m excited, man. I’m thankful to be here. I’ve said it a thousand times, but I like what we’re building here, I like the way we’re playing, I like the way we’re executing, and the sky’s the limit for us.”
3: McCollum Engaged Beyond Basketball
McCollum said of wanting to come to New Orleans, "It was a combination of things: the culture, the city, the people, the love — you can feel it, you know what I’m saying? I felt it from afar. I love the atmosphere. And if you do what you are supposed to do in a city like this, you will be loved forever. If you embrace them the way they embrace you, you can become legendary. I wanted to be where I was wanted, where I was needed. There's a lot of culture here, a lot of diversity and the food is fire.”
4. McCollum Already Feels City's Love
“It’s somewhere I wanted to go. It’s somewhere I could be successful. Somewhere I could be the best version of myself. I could help build this community, I could help build up this team and play alongside some young dogs. And like my wife told me, she was like this is an opportunity where you are really loved. They really going to love you especially when they see how you really are. They got glimpses in Portland just watching games but I’m really going to be out here. When I hoop I really care about this game, I really care about this community, the players, and the fans are starting to see. They like, ‘oh, he nice. Oh, he really nice.’ I am. I really work.”
5. McCollum Not Changing Leadership Style
McCollum is humble but takes things to heart. He explained he is "a servant leader. I speak when I need to. I don't want to be the overwhelming voice in the locker room. I just got here...I'm not here to preach...I don't know everything but I've seen a lot, done a lot, and made a lot of money...I can not only tell you about it, but I can show you because I've done it. I think that I'm just what they've needed and they're just what I've needed, especially at this stage in my life. And I think there's no better time for me to [make this move]. I’m 30 years old, I've been in the playoffs for eight straight years and I'm trying to make it nine.”
He tries, "try to give what I can to those that will listen and the rest will be what it's going to be. That's how I moved my whole life. People that know me, know me. I'm super blunt. I'm super straight to the point. People will say I'm borderline disrespectful. And all those things are true!"
