Remember when the news broke that the Atlanta Hawks traded Trae Young to the Wizards, and everyone collectively thought, "All they got was CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert?" Well, McCollum didn't get the message that he wasn't supposed to provide anything of value to his new team. Some thought he might not even be on the team past the deadline.
Keeping him around has paid off in ways that even Atlanta might not have thought. At 34, the Hawks knew his leadership would be a plus in a relatively young locker room, but the heights he's helped the team reach on the court have made it feel as if the front office will push to re-sign him this summer.
McCollum is averaging 18.6 points and 4.1 assists per game on 45.2% shooting from the field and 34.9% from three in 28.8 minutes. He's a career 39.5% shooter from deep (and shot 39.3% in the first half of the season with the Wizards), so he hasn't been shooting the ball well from behind the arc.
If you just glanced at his numbers without having watched him play, you might wonder just how impactful he's been.
CJ McCollum has been a great addition for the Hawks
Well, for starters, Atlanta has a +10.2 net rating when he's on the floor. The team's offensive rating is 114.9 with McCollum.
The majority of his shot attempts have come within 25-to-29 feet (163), but right behind that are the shots he's taken less than five feet from the rim (133). He's averaging 11.7 drives per game, second only to Jalen Johnson, and shooting 51.4%. McCollum has been working to get to the rim more as he's gotten older (he's not slowing down!), and it's working well for him and Atlanta.
His playmaking has also been a plus for the Hawks, especially after Young's departure. He ranks third on the team in assists per game, behind Johnson (8) and Dyson Daniels (5.8). His assist percentage is 21.2%.
The full effects of McCollum's arrival haven't been felt yet, as the Hawks are on track to lock down a top-six seed in the East. He's played 67 playoff games throughout his career, including a trip to the conference finals when he was with the Trail Blazers in 2019. Believe it or not, that could be a territory this team is headed toward this year.
Imagine getting to take a peek into April at the beginning of the season, knowing the Hawks would be in the position they're in now without Young, and with McCollum. Chances are you wouldn't have believed it, but things have an odd way of working out.
CJ McCollum was the perfect vet to bring in for this squad.