CJ McCollum Agrees to One-Year Contract Extension with Hawks

CJ McCollum has extended his contract with the Atlanta Hawks for one year, ensuring his spot following an impressive trade acquisition.

CJ McCollum has officially agreed to a one-year, $21 million contract extension with the Atlanta Hawks, as confirmed by a league source to The Athletic. This deal came after McCollum made a significant impact on the Hawks after joining them during a trade that sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards.

McCollum’s acquisition proved crucial for the Hawks. When they traded for him on January 9, the team had a record of 19-21. However, after his arrival, they finished the season strong with a 27-15 record, ultimately securing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and avoiding the Play-In Tournament.

In the playoffs, McCollum emerged as a key player. He contributed notably in the first round against the eventual champions, the New York Knicks, helping the Hawks win two of six games. His performance included a game-winning jumper in Game 3 and a remarkable 32-point game in Game 2. Throughout the series, he averaged 19.2 points while shooting 46.5 percent.

Prior to this extension, McCollum had been traded twice within the past year. Initially, he moved from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal that involved the Houston Rockets. Following that, he joined Atlanta at the trade deadline. His consistent performance, especially in clutch situations, made him an invaluable asset for the Hawks, prompting the organization to secure him for at least another year.

This one-year contract extension is largely seen as a beneficial move for the Hawks. It not only retains a pivotal player but does so at a lower salary compared to last season’s $30.7 million. This financial flexibility allows Atlanta to explore various roster improvement options as they head into the offseason.

The contract also comes with a trade kicker, which slightly limits the opportunities for using McCollum’s salary in future trades. Nevertheless, the contract’s expiring nature and McCollum’s performance create potential for the Hawks to be active in the market. Future moves may include trading either Zaccharie Risacher or Corey Kispert, who both have salaries of $13.9 million for the upcoming season.

Atlanta is prepping ahead of a busy draft week, and getting McCollum signed was an essential step in their strategy. The Hawks currently find themselves $16 million under the tax line, and with potential moves like waiving Buddy Hield’s partial guarantee, they could maneuver further below that line. With the draft approaching, decisions regarding these contracts will need to be finalized soon to allocate resources effectively as they aim to strengthen their roster.