The Cleveland Cavaliers may be the biggest winners of free agency, but it hasn’t stopped their fans from constantly recruiting the best talent in the league.
That was proven true once again this week after one Clevelander made his pitch to Pelicans star CJ McCollum during the Browns’ NFL Thursday night matchup against the Steelers.
McCollum didn’t say much in response, only clarifying that he was just visiting before walking off. It wasn’t until days later that he addressed the issue by inking a massive 2-year, $64 million extension.
This Browns fan tried to get CJ McCollum to sign with the Cavs on Thursday.
He signed an extension with the Pelicans today 😅
(via lorenzosnapped/TT) https://t.co/R3DKTZE2Lh
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 24, 2022
CJ Is Loyal To The New Orleans Pelicans
McCollum recently played for the Trail Blazers, but he has really grown attached to the Pelicans and the city of New Orleans. In just 26 games with the team, he blossomed in his role and the unique environment, averaging 24.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game on 49% shooting.
He even went so far as to say publicly that he wants to end his career with the team.
As for Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, 2½ months after being traded to New Orleans, he is taking a different approach. McCollum strongly maintains that he is committed to New Orleans and dreams of success and playing the final game of his career with the franchise.
“I’m not going nowhere. I’m here,” McCollum recently told Andscape. “Where am I going to go? Leave for what? I want to retire here. I’m 30 years old and I have a son who is 13 weeks old. I’m married. When you have something good, you hold on to it. This is something fun for both sides. We’re going to grow. I’m still learning the city. I’m going to find a house.”
Don’t be fooled. While CJ may rep some Browns gear, he has no loyalties to Cleveland. His home is with the Pelicans, and he’d be foolish to leave it behind now.
With him, Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and others, the Pels will be a force in the West and they could make some real noise in the postseason for the first time in years.
They will need health on their side, of course, but also the leadership of McCollum, who is among the best and most experienced players on the roster. So it’s a good thing that he’s bought in, even if he does root for the enemy across sports lines.
