In a credible NBA trade intel piece from Brett Siegel for ‘ClutchPoints,’ Washington Wizards wing CJ McCollum has been linked to the LA Clippers. He is a 34-year-old score-first talent who would be an addition led by chaos rather than logic. Thus, instead of trying to build ties, Lawrence Frank should cut them off right down the middle.
McCollum is bound to exit Washington at some point, just like Khris Middleton. These two veterans have 25 years of combined NBA experience that has helped develop Alex Sarr and the 5-23 Wizards, completely unrelated to victories in the moment.
However, the Clippers should let another team put on a superhero cape, unless one of their bright young pieces is involved. The level of money he makes is a burden, given the cost of age on the oldest team in NBA history.
If a young asset is not in the conversation, the Clippers invest their time elsewhere
The Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans never consistently allowed CJ McCollum to be the first scoring option. Damian Lillard and Brandon Ingram were there, and then there was Zion Williamson, when healthy.
On the Washington Wizards, McCollum is Brian Keefe’s right-hand man. He is averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.4 rebounds, and has not missed a game. No other Wizard is in his tier of availability and performance.
How does he give off any other impression than perfect for the LA Clippers? Veteran, talented, and adaptive are aspects Tyronn Lue would not have to think twice about regarding the Ohio native.
On the contrary, McCollum butts heads with the Clippers twice. He is not just an ordinary veteran; he is in his 13th year, which is too old for LA’s scheme, and his contract is listed at $30.6 million.
Thus, talks must end right at the first stage of conversation with the Wizards unless Cam Whitmore, AJ Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, or any one of their other struggling rising stars are in play.
As a result, the Clippers would have the trade-off of spending on McCollum’s contract for a few more months, as it soon expires, and the massive benefit of a youngster with potential.
That said, if the Clippers and Wizards are reportedly having a smooth discussion on McCollum, much more has to be added in LA’s return. Increasing the age will not do anything but make it harder for their legs to jump off the ground, given how old they would be.