The New Orleans Pelicans have missed Zion Williamson all season, and started really poorly as a result, going 1-12 at the beginning of the season. They have however clawed their way back, and have a chance to make the play-in tournament.
Even if they don’t make the play-in tournament or the playoffs this year, it would be in the Pelicans’ best interest to build a competitive team and surround Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram with other good players that can help them make a good run in the playoffs in the future. Zion Williamson had an All-NBA caliber season last year putting up 27.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Brandon Ingram is putting up 22.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 5.3 APG this season, and could potentially make the All-Star game as a reserve.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has recently revealed that the Pelicans are interested in CJ McCollum, as they believe he is the “ideal veteran scorer and leader” for the team to put next to their two young stars.
According to sources close to the Pelicans, the team is heading into the deadline as a buyer focusing on the 2022-23 campaign. Zion Williamson, who has yet to play this year with a foot injury, is eligible for an extension this offseason. The team apparently views McCollum as the potentially ideal veteran scorer and leader to play alongside Brandon Ingram and Williamson.
CJ McCollum is a three-level scorer who is shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc this season. He would be a solid third option who can also take on some playmaking duties, and there is no question that he would be a solid acquisition for the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans seem to want a win-now move: it was also previously reported that they were one of the teams in talks with the 76ers about All-Star Ben Simmons.
Hopefully, we see the New Orleans Pelicans become a more competitive team sooner rather than later. The world needs to see Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in a playoff environment, and when healthy, they are definitely one of the best young duos in the league. CJ McCollum would definitely be a difference-maker for the Pelicans, and perhaps we’ll see the team send out a solid trade package to acquire him.
