Oh the good news for CJ McCollum, oh the good news for the Pelicans. After seven months of love, the New Orleans franchise and its hook-nosed sniper have decided to formalize their union, and this union will therefore cost the Pels the modest sum of 64 million more, until 2026.
Seven months of legs in the air and a first round of Playoffs, that’s the time it took for the Pelicans to commit to the long term with CJ McCollum. The full-back, just 31 years old (he celebrated them on Monday, like my neighbor Chloé, incredible) had arrived in Louisiana on February 8 with Larry Nance Jr. in his luggage, and he had immediately contributed to the very good course of his new team in the spring. The one who had been running since the start of his career at 19 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 0.9 interceptions had seen his averages explode (24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1, 3 steal) and thus formed with Brandon Ingram a duo quite problematic for any defense. Two leaders, an ultra-solid Jonas Valanciunas in the racket and a bunch of excited kids, just enough to make the Pels one of the thrill teams of the end of the season, especially during a series of Playoffs abandoned weapons at the hand against defending runner-up Phoenix.
New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum has agreed on a two-year, $64 million extension that’ll take him through 2025-2026, his agent Sam Goldfeder of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN. New deal ties McCollum to Pels for four years and $133M.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 24, 2022
In view of the project in the bayou and the qualities demonstrated by CeeJay since his arrival, the deal seems to be a win-win. An amount roughly equivalent to what the player will receive in the next two seasons, and the promise of a rather incredible Big Three with CJ, Ingram and… Zion Williamson, a ferocious beast who will be back in a few weeks in the Pels jersey. With the young Herb Jones and Trey Murphy or the underrated contribution of Larry Nance Jr. in the wings, a Jaxson Hayes who wants to become a man at the relay of Jonas Valanciunas or the sensation Alvarado and Devont’e Graham in the lead , so here’s a roster that’s starting to look good for a franchise that will certainly return to the box of League Pass teams as soon as it resumes, which you’ll have to click on if you like to shiver at 4 a.m. while eating crackers with pâté.
Madame Pelicane New Orleans, born Louisiana, residing at the Smoothie King Center, do you want to marry Mr. Christian James McCollum, professional basketball player residing at 12, Tarin Street? Yes, I want it. Mr. Christian James McCollum, professional basketball player residing at 12 Tarin Street, will you marry Mrs. Pelicane New Orleans, born Louisiana, residing at the Smoothie King Center? Yes, I want it. I pronounce you husband and wife, you can set the bride ablaze with hundreds of shots from the parking lot.