The New Orleans Pelicans have had a very good season this year when one considers the way they began. They were only 1-12 to start the season, and at times it looked like the best move for the team would be to tank for a lottery pick. However, they have bounced back since then. They defeated the Spurs and the Clippers in the play-in tournament, and though they are down in the series against the Phoenix Suns, they did manage to take two games from the No. 1 seed.
A big part of their success has been CJ McCollum. CJ McCollum is a player that was acquired at the trade deadline, in a win-now move. His addition has clearly paid off, as the Pelicans have had their best season in a long time.
Recently, CJ McCollum has revealed that he wants to retire with the New Orleans Pelicans, claiming that he is “going nowhere” and that when one has “something good”, you have to “hold on to it”. Marc Spears of Andscape relayed the news.
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.”
The Pelicans are making McCollum’s commitment sound worthwhile as they are the easy surprise of the NBA playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the best young cores in the league, one that could potentially be a contender next season with the return of Zion Williamson. CJ McCollum is the perfect veteran leader to get the best out of that core.
As of now though, the focus for the Pelicans will be on their current series against the Phoenix Suns. They have to win Game 6 at home to stay alive, and if CJ McCollum has a good performance, there’s a good chance of them doing so if Devin Booker remains out for the Phoenix Suns.
