CJ McCollum Rumors

It’s early. But the Hawks’ front office has indicated that you could fit here long term. What does that mean to you? CJ McCollum: “I’m excited about the possibilities. I’m happy to be in Atlanta. I love the city. I love the team and the organization. The things that I’ve heard about them so far in my interaction with the team and the front office has been positive. So I’m excited about the possibilities. We’ll see what happens next.”

essentiallysports.com

How have you processed this past week? CJ McCollum: “It’s been hectic. You get traded. You move. I have kids. I have my wife. So it’s been a little hectic. But that’s the job. You just have to figure it out. So I’ve just been figuring it out.”

essentiallysports.com

All things considered, though, what early impact do you think you’ve been able to make so far? CJ McCollum: “I’m just being myself. I’m being aggressive. I’m working hard. I’m building consistent habits and doing things the right way. I’m really making sure that my head is in the right place in terms of competing, in terms of being a good teammate and in terms of making sure that each day that I come in with a positive mindset. I also understand that there are changes that are ahead for my family as well. I make sure they’re good. I make sure that my wife is good. I make sure that my kids are good and eventually have everything they need for the transition.”

essentiallysports.com

Jorge Sierra: The most random players will receive All-Star votes from their peers each year. Some actual good NBA players finish without a single endorsement from fellow players. There were the best each season.

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Finally, Saleh wouldn’t comment on a possible extension for McCollum, whose deal expires after the season. “We’ll see where that all goes as the season comes along, but CJ’s been awesome,” Saleh said. “He’s somebody that I think could fit here long term as well. I’m really, really excited about having him here. But yeah, I can’t really say anything about extension talks and negotiations.”

New York Times

Sources say that Toronto actually offered a package built around Immanuel Quickley and draft capital for Young before last February's trade deadline and maintained a level of interest in Young this season. Yet sources say that the Hawks had no interest in a Quickley-headlined package given the future money he's owed. The Hawks staunchly prioritized the ample flexibility they now have before the the Feb. 5 trade buzzer and possibly into free agency next summer by taking back CJ McCollum’s expiring $30.7 million salary as the key return in their Young deal.

marcstein.substack.com

The Washington Wizards announced today they have acquired guard Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard/forward Corey Kispert and guard CJ McCollum. “We are excited to welcome Trae Young to the Washington Wizards,” said General Manager Will Dawkins. “It is a rare opportunity to acquire a player of Trae’s skill, accomplishments, and age. Trae plays an exciting brand of basketball and brings a level of confidence and competitiveness that has set him apart in this league.”

NBA.com

Corey Kispert was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by Washington. He appeared in 311 games (105 starts), averaging 10.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting .475 from the field and .383 from three. CJ McCollum started in 35 games after being acquired in an offseason trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, and shot .454 from the field and .393 from three with Washington. “We thank Corey and CJ for being consummate professionals during their time in Washington,” said Dawkins. “Though they spent varying time here, both left a lasting impact on this organization that we hope our players carry forward.”

NBA.com

Keith Smith: Hawks-Wizards trade is now official. No changes from what was previously reported: Atlanta acquires CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert Washington acquires Trae Young

x.com

Michael Scotto: Atlanta Hawks GM Onsi Saleh on trading Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert: “On behalf of the Hawks franchise, I’d like to thank Trae for how he embraced the city of Atlanta and represented the Hawks during his time here, on the court and in the community. Over more than seven seasons, including four All-Star appearances, he cemented himself as a fan favorite and one of the great players in our franchise’s history. We wish Trae and his family all the best.”

x.com

Michael Scotto: Atlanta Hawks GM Onsi Saleh “Adding CJ McCollum, one of the NBA’s most prolific shooters and a respected veteran, along with an established young veteran in Corey Kispert, will strengthen our team on the court and in the locker room, and we retain flexibility for future opportunities to continue building our program.”

x.com

Bobby Marks: Contract breakdown: Atlanta/Washington To Atlanta: CJ McCollum ($30.7M), Corey Kispert ($14M, $14M, $13.1M, $13.1M (T)) To Washington: Trae Young ($46M and $49M (P)) Notes: Young and McCollum are both eligible to sign up to a 3 year extension

x.com

"Other than a few details, this trade was essentially a three-way deal where the Pelicans got Jordan Poole, the Hawks got CJ McCollum and the Wizards got Trae Young," one East executive told ESPN, referencing the Poole-McCollum swap from last June. "If that had all happened in the summer in one move, there may have been some more questions for Atlanta. But the way this season has played out and with how terrific Jalen [Johnson] has played as a creator, it makes more sense now."

ESPN

Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com there is internal interest in extension concepts for C.J. McCollum with the Atlanta Hawks, centered on a potential one-year deal for an estimated $20 million. Such a concept is viewed internally as a short-term bridge that preserves cap flexibility while allowing Atlanta to remain competitive.

Dallas Hoops Journal