CJ McCollum - Missing Ball Handler

[MasterIchiro]

First off, get your dirty mind out of the gutter.

Hornets
CJ McCollum (1 year)

McCollum makes a great stopgap mentor for LaMelo Ball and secondary playmaker in the starting lineup. He smooths a (very) prolonged transition out of a rebuild.

Josh Green just led the Hornets in starts with 67. He started at SG, but looks hopelessly unqualified as a playmaker/ballhandler at the position. For most of the season, Charlotte's starting lineup lacked a secondary playmaker.

It was ugly.

Defenses swarmed LaMelo and forced the ball out of Brandon Miller's hands, visibly flustering him. Miller is definitely far away from becoming a secondary ballhandler.

Fellow Hornets fans, I realize a starting lineup of LaMelo - CJ - Miller - Miles - Mark Williams is probably bottom barrel defensively. But the offense gets a huge boost with CJ rising as a #2 option, pushing Miller to #3 and Miles Bridges to #4.

When LaMelo went down in the wake of Tre Mann's disc injury (played 13 games all season), Vasa Micic commanded the tank. He's out of the NBA.

Pelicans
Josh Green (2 years)
Grant Williams (2 years)
2025 Pels 2nd (pick 34)
2027 Pels 2nd

Pelicans collect 2 high quality 2nd round picks for their rebuild in exchange for taking on 1 extra year of salary.

Can the Pelicans net a first rounder for CJ and find a team that can top this return?

[Texas Chuck]

Don't see the Pels downgrading and taking on the future money for 2 2nd rounders. Make the same offer with expiring salary and maybe they consider it.

[zimpy27]

My mind is always in the gutter and yet I don't know what I missed here.

McCollum is an interesting stopgap for a few teams I think, he may have more value

[MasterIchiro]

My mind is always in the gutter and yet I don't know what I missed here.

McCollum is an interesting stopgap for a few teams I think, he may have more value

Could he net a first though?

Hornets can add 2029 Suns 2nd.

[jayjaysee]

Think CLT owes another second and only gets to dump one of the MLE contracts. Match salaries a different way.

Could see NOP agreeing to a Nurk/Kelly swap to add a good amount more value to CLT’s side once the value is adjusted. And that would help with matching salaries without forcing that much money after next season.

[MasterIchiro]

Think CLT owes another second and only gets to dump one of the MLE contracts. Match salaries a different way.

Could see NOP agreeing to a Nurk/Kelly swap to add a good amount more value to CLT’s side once the value is adjusted. And that would help with matching salaries without forcing that much money after next season.

Sounds viable.

As mentioned upthread, Hornets can add a 2029 Suns 2nd.

I'd still try to stick with the contracts in place though because 34 is near the first round for CJ as a rental. And 2027 Pels 2nd projects to be near there for their rebuild.

These are not standard 2nd rounders. They're high quality.

[jayjaysee]

Think CLT owes another second and only gets to dump one of the MLE contracts. Match salaries a different way.

Could see NOP agreeing to a Nurk/Kelly swap to add a good amount more value to CLT’s side once the value is adjusted. And that would help with matching salaries without forcing that much money after next season.

Sounds viable.

As mentioned upthread, Hornets can add a 2029 Suns 2nd.

I'd still try to stick with the contracts in place though because 34 is near the first round for CJ as a rental. And 2027 Pels 2nd projects to be near there for their rebuild.

These are not standard 2nd rounders. They're high quality.

But NOP is yet to accept they are on the edge of a rebuild . And 2029 is so far away that Phoenix might figure out a second option for Booker and be a play-in squad for the next 5 years or they might just convey the 38th pick. Nice and mediocre..

While I try to avoid double counting salary, but I don’t think it would be cheap to dump the second years of Josh and Grant. Especially, Grant until he plays again.

Once you pay to turn those two into expirings, what is NOP actually getting for the clear talent downgrade?

[MasterIchiro]

Think CLT owes another second and only gets to dump one of the MLE contracts. Match salaries a different way.

Could see NOP agreeing to a Nurk/Kelly swap to add a good amount more value to CLT’s side once the value is adjusted. And that would help with matching salaries without forcing that much money after next season.

Sounds viable.

As mentioned upthread, Hornets can add a 2029 Suns 2nd.

I'd still try to stick with the contracts in place though because 34 is near the first round for CJ as a rental. And 2027 Pels 2nd projects to be near there for their rebuild.

These are not standard 2nd rounders. They're high quality.

But NOP is yet to accept they are on the edge of a rebuild . And 2029 is so far away that Phoenix might figure out a second option for Booker and be a play-in squad for the next 5 years or they might just convey the 38th pick. Nice and mediocre..

While I try to avoid double counting salary, but I don’t think it would be cheap to dump the second years of Josh and Grant. Especially, Grant until he plays again.

Once you pay to turn those two into expirings, what is NOP actually getting for the clear talent downgrade?

Rentals are really cheap. Ingram went for one lone 1st. 34 is close and Ingram is worth more than McCollum as a rental. Add in the Pels 2027 2nd and 2029 Suns 2nd. I'm sticking with the matching salaries in the proposal.

Name the team that will outbid the Hornets for a CJ rental.

[Skybox]

I would hope ORL beats this offer if they had some reasonable assurance that CJ was interested in the role with a fierce young team and wouldn't be opposed to a reasonable extension.

CJ is still a very formidable offensive player and a great locker room mentor personality...but not some rocking chair guy - he'd still be the best guy on the court some nights.

[MasterIchiro]

I would hope ORL beats this offer if they had some reasonable assurance that CJ was interested in the role with a fierce young team and wouldn't be opposed to a reasonable extension.

CJ is still a very formidable offensive player and a great locker room mentor personality...but not some rocking chair guy - he'd still be the best guy on the court some nights.

Orlando can do better than extending CJ at 34 years old. Magic should be thinking younger.

[Skybox]

I would hope ORL beats this offer if they had some reasonable assurance that CJ was interested in the role with a fierce young team and wouldn't be opposed to a reasonable extension.

CJ is still a very formidable offensive player and a great locker room mentor personality...but not some rocking chair guy - he'd still be the best guy on the court some nights.

Orlando can do better than extending CJ at 34 years old. Magic should be thinking younger.

depends on the asking price and what other moves it empowers ORL to make. CJ, imo, has at least 3 more strong seasons in him...that's a big window in today's NBA/CBA. IF someone like Kasparas or Jase Richardson became available to ORL (via slide or trade up), CJ would be a great bridge and could extend his career by cutting more minutes each year. I just love CJ as an articulate, thoughtful teammate who can also light you up for 35 on any given night...His shooting will not disappear anytime soon.

The East is wide open...no time for "development" anymore.

[MasterIchiro]

I would hope ORL beats this offer if they had some reasonable assurance that CJ was interested in the role with a fierce young team and wouldn't be opposed to a reasonable extension.

CJ is still a very formidable offensive player and a great locker room mentor personality...but not some rocking chair guy - he'd still be the best guy on the court some nights.

Orlando can do better than extending CJ at 34 years old. Magic should be thinking younger.

depends on the asking price and what other moves it empowers ORL to make. CJ, imo, has at least 3 more strong seasons in him...that's a big window in today's NBA/CBA. IF someone like Kasparas or Jase Richardson became available to ORL (via slide or trade up), CJ would be a great bridge and could extend his career by cutting more minutes each year. I just love CJ as an articulate, thoughtful teammate who can also light you up for 35 on any given night...His shooting will not disappear anytime soon.

The East is wide open...no time for "development" anymore.

If you're willing to ride a vet 3 years and top 3 high quality 2nd rounders using a 1st to acquire one, why not go with Jrue?

Jrue plays both sides of the ball, has 2 rings, can shoot, run offense, settle young players in big moments.

[jayjaysee]

Rentals are really cheap. Ingram went for one lone 1st. 34 is close and Ingram is worth more than McCollum as a rental. Add in the Pels 2027 2nd and 2029 Suns 2nd. I'm sticking with the matching salaries in the proposal.

Name the team that will outbid the Hornets for a CJ rental.

Ingram was traded, while not playing, in the middle of the season for a first lightly protected and a distant 2nd.

The fact that the trade happened in Feb already shows how different the situation is. Look how cheap Pascal was moved for due to the timing of the trade.. 30-40 games versus 82 and an offseason just isn’t comparable.

The matching salary that extended after the year (Kelly) is better than the salary you’re asking to send out. And also half as much. And is actually a good fit with NOP’s roster.. but using Nurk in place of Grant would make the matching salary pretty similar..

The Pacers were 28 and 21 at the time of the trade, finished season 22 and 11... They finished the year (their year isn’t finished) very strong and the pick looks different now. But that goes with how future picks are hard to predict..

As for teams paying more? That’s based on a false premise though.. because NOP might want to keep him with DJM hurt.

Or they might want to trade him for an upgrade and not be stuck offering negative salary.. A team like Cleveland might like getting CJM as a nice stopgap on top of the value. Compared to 8th/9th men on bloated deals.. similar with SAS. Or even Atlanta..

But to go with it?

Orlando should top that once you factor in the bad salary?

Dallas can offer Gafford/Klay based deal which is less long term salary and better on court fits, have seconds to throw in if that’s needed.

Miami could top it to upgrade Terry if they want.

Orlando likely needs someone willing to extend a lot cheaper than Jrue given they have three young stars..

[Skybox]

Orlando can do better than extending CJ at 34 years old. Magic should be thinking younger.

depends on the asking price and what other moves it empowers ORL to make. CJ, imo, has at least 3 more strong seasons in him...that's a big window in today's NBA/CBA. IF someone like Kasparas or Jase Richardson became available to ORL (via slide or trade up), CJ would be a great bridge and could extend his career by cutting more minutes each year. I just love CJ as an articulate, thoughtful teammate who can also light you up for 35 on any given night...His shooting will not disappear anytime soon.

The East is wide open...no time for "development" anymore.

If you're willing to ride a vet 3 years and top 3 high quality 2nd rounders using a 1st to acquire one, why not go with Jrue?

Jrue plays both sides of the ball, has 2 rings, can shoot, run offense, settle young players in big moments.

Not my favorite - but primarily because of the 3 guaranteed years at even higher salary...I would expect CJ to re-up for less than his current $30.7m

If ORL ended up with Jrue-I'd be all in, but that contract is a big concern if he declines.

[shrink]

I’ve toyed with McCollum-to-MIN, while Dillingham develops. He’ll be 34 when the season starts, at $30.7, but it’s expiring.

Maybe if MIN is going to lose Randle or Naz Reid, they could send one to a third team and add a player that fits NOP better.

[hoopsfan777]

I would hope ORL beats this offer if they had some reasonable assurance that CJ was interested in the role with a fierce young team and wouldn't be opposed to a reasonable extension.

CJ is still a very formidable offensive player and a great locker room mentor personality...but not some rocking chair guy - he'd still be the best guy on the court some nights.

Would be interested in one or both ORL 2025 1st rd picks.

[hugepatsfan]

I think NOP would want a 1st here, not so much for CJ the player but for the second year of salary. They're kind of pushing the tax this year and probably need to make a move to avoid it already. This deal actually helps them in that regard but they probably don't want to kick the can with the second year on those deals. On paper, right now they have $69M of tax room next year but this eats up close about $30M of that and they'll still need to sign their pick at #7 which takes another $10M and they could very well have a similar salaried pick again next year for another $10M. All of a sudden, that $69M of wiggle room is down to $19M which is basically just a MLE player and filling out the roster. For just 2 2nds, I think they'd keep expiring CJM and have more room for bigger moves next year.

CHA should absolutely not give a 1st for CJ though. So sub Nurkic/Okogie in as expiring filler and now I think 2 2nds is fair value.

[lordjeff05]

As has been discussed by a few people here, the second year of salary is worth more to me than the second rounders. The Pels have never seriously tried Zion as a the primary ball handler with two high level shooters next to him. I want to see what it looks like even if CJ isn't a long term piece. I'd be willing to move off of him but not for long term salary that isn't connected to a viable player, even with some draft capital.

[MasterIchiro]

depends on the asking price and what other moves it empowers ORL to make. CJ, imo, has at least 3 more strong seasons in him...that's a big window in today's NBA/CBA. IF someone like Kasparas or Jase Richardson became available to ORL (via slide or trade up), CJ would be a great bridge and could extend his career by cutting more minutes each year. I just love CJ as an articulate, thoughtful teammate who can also light you up for 35 on any given night...His shooting will not disappear anytime soon.

The East is wide open...no time for "development" anymore.

If you're willing to ride a vet 3 years and top 3 high quality 2nd rounders using a 1st to acquire one, why not go with Jrue?

Jrue plays both sides of the ball, has 2 rings, can shoot, run offense, settle young players in big moments.

Not my favorite - but primarily because of the 3 guaranteed years at even higher salary...I would expect CJ to re-up for less than his current $30.7m

If ORL ended up with Jrue-I'd be all in, but that contract is a big concern if he declines.

Both Jrue and CJ could move laterally these next 3 seasons. I'm unwilling to surrender a 1st for Jrue, but would be happy to scoop him up for 3 high quality 2nds in an aftermarket where the Magic give a 1st for CJ, and leave the Celtics without one key suitor for Jrue.