First, the draft. Then, free agency. For CJ McCollum, there's likely an unavoidable level of uncertainty regarding his future here, which could heavily depend on the outcome of the upcoming draft. Atlanta has a wide variety of options to consider as they'll soon have to make some incredibly tough decisions.
This year's draft class is a special one, no doubt, but it's unclear what kind of impact the Hawks' selections will have on the already-rostered veterans. There's a real chance that if they draft a guard, they'll look to re-sign McCollum as a stopgap, but there's always a possibility that they'll be confident enough in their rookie to start immediately.
Hawks can't make a final decision until they fully assess their draftees
They own two first-round selections in this upcoming draft, and if they stay put, they'll be bringing in two guys capable of contributing nightly. Now, there's reasonable doubt in them both being placed in the immediate rotation, but the talent will be undeniable.
It's unlikely they'll draft two players of the same position, giving them legitimate incentive to bring the veteran back on a cheap short-term deal. He'd be the perfect mentor for a young guard figuring out how to adjust his game to the intensity of the NBA, and he's proven he can still contribute at a high-level.
McCollum quickly became Atlanta's go-to scorer in the postseason. It wasn't what they'd initially hoped for, but it certainly paid off. While they didn't make it past the surging New York Knicks, McCollum was the reason they were able to steal two games, which is beginning to look like a moral victory in its own.
As they look for more of a long-term answer at guard, they'll weigh what McCollum was able to provide when they needed him most. This might make them more likely to bring in a score-first guard, but additional playmaking help couldn't hurt.
Atlanta possesses all the leverage in a unique situation like this
They can't go wrong with whatever they choose to do here. Either they draft their point guard of the future and let McCollum walk, freeing up money, or have a loaded guard room with an excellent young facilitator and a proven veteran. There's plenty for the Hawks' decision-makers to weigh, but it's undoubtedly a good problem to have.
Regardless of what happens, McCollum will always be good in Atlanta after what he was able to do in just half a season with the team. Two game-winners in the postseason is something players dream of, and his invaluable experience could be very beneficial to whoever the Hawks decide to draft.
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