CJ McCollum gave the Hawks a problem nobody is talking about When the Atlanta Hawks acquired CJ McCollum in the Trae Young trade, there was an assumption he wouldn’t stay long. His $30 million expiring contract meant the Hawks could have traded him before the deadline or let him leave in free agency, freeing up to $32.9 million in cap space. But McCollum’s performance in a Hawks jersey has made that scenario unlikely, unless they find a perfect replacement. The Hawks must either extend McCollum or find a replacement for him. While his efficiency has dipped since the trade, his defensive and passing contributions were never stellar. Statistically, he might seem like a liability, yet he’s been central to Atlanta’s 10-0 streak over the past four weeks. The question remains: how is a player with declining scoring and passing ability still a positive for the team? McCollum’s value lies in his ability to create space off the dribble. Despite his age and 12-year NBA experience, his handle, agility, and explosiveness make him a unique threat. Even if he’s not hitting shots consistently, his presence opens up opportunities for teammates. The Hawks’ supporting cast—Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher—thrives when playing off a secondary scorer like McCollum or Jalen Johnson. While Johnson is having a stellar season, a single primary scorer isn’t enough in today’s NBA. Atlanta has recognized McCollum’s impact on their recent success and is now weighing options. Extending him is the straightforward path, but the team might prefer a riskier approach: drafting an elite offensive guard like Darryn Peterson or Kingston Flemings. However, relying on draft picks is less certain than keeping a proven veteran with McCollum’s leadership.#atlanta_hawks #cj_mccollum #onsi_saleh #nickeil_alexander_walker #dyson_daniels
