CJ McCollum's role with the Wizards appears to be clearer after his early performances. Coming into the season, McCollum was expected to serve as the veteran leader who could mentor the team's young core. Fans hoped he would make a positive impact, unlike previous experiments with players such as Kyle Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon.
During the preseason, the former Pelicans guard showed promise in limited minutes. At the start of the regular season, it seemed McCollum might become the scoring spark to stabilize the young Wizards and help the team surpass expectations this year.
However, after six games, McCollum's impact on the court has been disappointing. His averages include 14.2 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 37.2% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. Though these numbers are decent for a 34-year-old adapting to a new team, his overall contribution has been underwhelming.
"The guard is averaging 14.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds, while shooting 37.2% from field goal range and 38.5% from beyond the arc."
Critically, McCollum's presence seems to have somewhat hindered the team's offensive output, limiting what the Wizards have been able to accomplish on the floor.
CJ McCollum was brought in to mentor and energize the Washington Wizards, but early signs show his tenure may be shorter and less effective than anticipated.
Author's summary: CJ McCollum’s initial performance with the Wizards has been underwhelming, suggesting his veteran role may not extend long-term with the team.