When the Atlanta Hawks acquired CJ McCollum in the Trae Young commerce, there was a base assumption that he wouldn’t be on the crew for lengthy. With an expiring $30 million deal, McCollum might have been flipped once more at the commerce deadline or just allowed to stroll in free company. Allowing him to go away would give the Hawks as much as $32.9 million in cap area.
But with the manner McCollum has performed in a Hawks jersey, it’s laborious to think about Atlanta letting him stroll (except they discover a good alternative).
The Hawks should both prolong CJ or discover his alternative
It is value noting that McCollum hasn’t performed remarkably nicely since the commerce. His effectivity is down throughout the board, and his protection and passing weren’t precisely spectacular to start with. By simply taking a look at his statistical profile, you might infer that McCollum is holding Atlanta back.
But this couldn’t be farther from the fact; McCollum is maybe the greatest cause for Atlanta’s miraculous 10-0 run over the previous 4 weeks. But if he isn’t scoring the ball effectively, nor passing the ball nicely, nor taking part in hard-nosed protection, how is he a optimistic to the crew?
McCollum possesses one thing no different Hawk can declare: some juice off the dribble. When you watch him in motion on offense, it’s simple to neglect that CJ is 34 years previous and a 12-year veteran. His deal with is tight and fast, and he has outstanding agility and explosiveness off the bounce. While he hasn’t been in a position to hit the shot off the dribble in Atlanta, merely having the prowess to get open makes life simpler for Atlanta.
The Hawks are stuffed with supporting gamers. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher are all efficient gamers, however you don’t need them creating their very own shot all the time. They work finest taking part in off a participant like McCollum or Jalen Johnson, whose particular person scoring gravity can create simpler alternatives for his or her teammates. While Johnson is having an unbelievable season, one major scorer is merely not sufficient in the trendy NBA.
The Hawks might maintain CJ… or
Atlanta has certainly taken notice of their 10-game streak and realized the value of McCollum’s scoring gravity. The simple possibility this offseason can be to increase CJ, however there is a extra tantalizing but much less sure second possibility.
Drafting Darryn Peterson, Kingston Flemings, or considered one of the different elite offensive guard prospects from this draft class might replicate the impact McCollum has dropped at the desk. Of course, betting on draft picks isn’t as sure as betting on established NBA veterans, significantly one with the management qualities McCollum possesses.
Perhaps the most suitable choice is the center floor: the Hawks re-sign CJ to a one-year take care of the intention of build up his worth for an eventual commerce deadline transfer. In the meantime, Atlanta’s new guard can be taught from McCollum, who will, in flip, relieve the quick stress off the rookie guard.
Whatever the reply is, the Hawks should take a good look in the mirror. This crew was good with Kristaps Porzingis and has been nice with McCollum in his place as the second scoring possibility. Regardless of what GM Onsi Saleh chooses to do that offseason, he should guarantee the crew has a potent secondary scorer; in any other case we’ll see one other proficient crew waste its season on account of poor roster constuction.
