The New Orleans Pelicans continue to find the right pieces to pair with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Adding a guard would make sense and one name that could make sense is CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers.
McCollum is out with a lung issue although he is expected to recover from that at some point. Hence, a potential deal for the 30-year-old guard could see the Pelicans pull off something by the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
It should be noted that if a move for the 10th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft does happen, it would be an investment for the future.
Right now, the Pelicans are sitting 12th in the Western Conference standings with an 18-32 win-loss card. While they can still technically make it via the play-in tournament, any move for McCollum is about investing in the future, Jake Fischer of the Bleacher Report reported.
McCollum could do wonders for the Pelicans who have yet to find the right guard who can complement Ingram and Williamson.
Williamson continues to be out due to a foot injury and there is no official word on whether he can still play this season. But looking ahead, the 21-year-old is eligible for an extension.
Despite the weight problems plaguing the 2019 top pick, the likelihood is that he will be staying around New Orleans with most teams wary of acquiring him due to his weight and injury issues.
As for McCollum, his name has been around. He has been mentioned in potential trade scenarios – one of which was concerning Ben Simmons. All that bogged down although other teams could explore any deal by the NBA trade deadline.
The only thing that may worry the Pelicans and other teams is McCollum’s state of health. Unless a positive update crops up, interest in the 6-foot-3 cager will be divided.
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