CJ McCollum has been a member of the Atlanta Hawks for less than two weeks, and fans already aren't thrilled with what they've been seeing out of him. It's not that McCollum is a bad player, but it's that he clearly isn't playing a style that elevates the ceiling of the group or makes Atlanta a better team overall. This is what Pelicans fans tuning into the situation already knew going in.
The Hawks hold an 0-4 record since McCollum began suiting up for the team following the trade, and he has gotten far from rave reviews from Hawks fans. Many on social media have expressed their discontent with CJ's output, saying that they're seeing why his former teams like New Orleans have been okay with moving on from him.
A player like McCollum is much more of a fit on a team like Washington that is clearly in between eras. The Wizards had been in need of veterans that have a clearly-established style of play that will translate anywhere they go, and be able to lead guys off the court and in the locker room.
CJ McCollum has not impressed so far in his Hawks tenure
That's perfectly fine for a roster filled with impressionable young guys who just need someone to lead them and show them the way. But it's quite a bit different for a team like the Hawks that believes it's found its next franchise player in Jalen Johnson, and needs guys around him that will complement him while raising the team's overall ceiling.
It's becoming clear fast that CJ just isn't that type of player that can really add to what Atlanta's process already is. He's going to come in and play his style, and depending on what the team around him needs, that may end up hurting more than helping in certain situations. That doesn't make him a selfish player, it just makes him a less than ideal fit.
Plenty of fans were upset about what Atlanta got back when they traded Trae Young to the Wizards, but a small contingency of people were talking about McCollum as somebody that could be a surprise bright spot in the deal. So far, that has not materialized, and the trade only looks worse because of it.
It's still early into McCollum's tenure in Atlanta, but the Hawks are learning quickly that name recognition doesn't always equal real impact. McCollum can still put up numbers, but this team needs him to do so within their established process. Until he does, the fanbase is just going to continue groaning.