CJ McCollum’s New Contract with the Hawks
CJ McCollum has officially joined the Atlanta Hawks.
As reported by Shams Charania from ESPN, the seasoned guard has signed a one-year extension worth $21 million with the Hawks. This deal clears up any doubts about his position, reinforcing his role as a vital player for the team, especially as the season approaches its climax.
Interestingly, the contract includes a trade kicker, according to Charania.
This agreement follows McCollum’s impactful tenure with Atlanta, where he made a significant difference after being acquired midseason in a trade involving Trae Young.
Upon joining the Hawks from the Washington Wizards, the 34-year-old quickly became a reliable presence on a roster filled with younger players.
Atlanta capitalized on this momentum, wrapping up the regular season with an impressive 19-4 record, allowing them to secure the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. With this surge, they transformed from a team that seemed like a long shot for the postseason into one of the league’s most formidable squads.
Much of this success can be attributed to McCollum.
In his role, the veteran guard showcased his offensive flair, combining creativity, perimeter shooting, and clutch shot-making—qualities he’s known for throughout his NBA career.
During his time with the Hawks, which included 41 regular season games and 25 starts, McCollum averaged 18.7 points per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 35.7% beyond the arc.
His influence became even more pronounced during the playoffs.
Although the Hawks were eliminated 4-2 by the eventual champion Knicks in the first round, McCollum consistently challenged New York, particularly in the early games when Atlanta initially led the series 2-1.
He delivered several clutch performances, capped by a standout 32-point game in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, where he scored six points late in the game, including a crucial go-ahead basket with just 33.5 seconds on the clock.
The Knicks had a 12-point advantage in the fourth quarter, but the Hawks managed to fight back and close the gap.
In Game 3, McCollum added 23 points, helping Atlanta to a narrow 109-108 victory despite a late rally from the Knicks.
As he approaches his 35th birthday, McCollum holds a career average of 19.5 points per game and is regarded as one of the best guards to never have been selected for an All-Star team.
After being drafted No. 10 in the 2013 NBA Draft, McCollum has built a reputation for consistency as a scoring guard, including stints with the Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Wizards, and now the Hawks.
He was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2016, averaging nearly 20 points per game throughout his noteworthy career.
