Hawks’ CJ McCollum Addresses Being a Starter with Confident Response The Atlanta Hawks have been on a nine-game winning streak, and their recent success has been closely tied to CJ McCollum’s transition to the starting lineup. The team’s surge began when McCollum replaced Zaccharie Risacher in the starting five, and the results have been consistent. Stats show the Hawks perform better with McCollum in the lineup alongside Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. This dynamic has continued to deliver strong results, and McCollum has not indicated any plans to return to the bench. After a win against the Milwaukee Bucks, McCollum was asked about his preference for starting over coming off the bench. He responded by emphasizing the team’s needs over personal role preferences. “For me, it’s whatever the team needs,” McCollum said. “I think the money is on time every two weeks, regardless. That’s always helpful, but historically, I’ve been a starter. However, I’m comfortable playing whatever role is necessary for us, as long as we’re competing for something. That’s what’s really important for me: playing winning basketball and competing for something right now. That’s what they want me to do, and when your boss tells you something, you’ve got to do it.” McCollum’s inclusion in the starting lineup hasn’t disrupted the team’s rhythm; instead, it has enhanced their performance. Jalen Johnson, who has thrived in the lineup, highlighted McCollum’s value as a veteran presence. “Some lineups may look different, but CJ’s been a great vet to come in, and he understands the game at an elite level,” Johnson said. “So having him on the court with us, he just shows us little pointers and stuff where we can be effective at, and I feel like he’s done a great job leading our group.#atlanta_hawks #jalen_johnson #cj_mccollum #zaccharie_risacher #dyson_daniels
NBA Trade Idea Sends DeMar DeRozan From Sacramento Kings To Atlanta Hawks A proposed trade idea has emerged suggesting DeMar DeRozan could be moved from the Sacramento Kings to the Atlanta Hawks. NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report outlined the potential deal, which would see the Kings receive Zaccharie Risacher and Gabe Vincent in exchange for DeRozan and a 2027 second-round draft pick. The trade would pair DeRozan with a young core featuring Jalen Johnson, Jonathan Kuminga, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and CJ McCollum, positioning the Hawks as a competitive force in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan, 36, has been a consistent performer for the Kings this season, averaging 18.2 points per game while shooting 49.3% from the field, 33.6% from three-point range, and 86.8% at the free-throw line. Despite his production, his career has been marked by frequent roster changes, having played for the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, and now the Kings. The Kings, currently holding the worst record in the NBA, have struggled to build a winning culture, leaving DeRozan in a difficult position as he approaches the end of his career. Bailey argued that DeRozan’s skills align better with a winning team, noting that his role as a super Sixth Man could still provide value for the Hawks. However, he also acknowledged the Kings’ decision to trade him as a way to address their long-term issues. “This is undoubtedly selling low on Zaccharie Risacher,” Bailey wrote, “but nearly all the way through his second NBA season, he’s playing nowhere near a starter’s level. With Jalen Johnson performing at a high level, it’s fair to be impatient with Risacher.” The proposed trade cannot happen before the NBA trade deadline, which has already passed.#sacramento_kings #atlanta_hawks #de_mar_de_razan #andy_bailey #zaccharie_risacher
