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Reviewing the CJ McCollum-Josh Hart trade one month later

By Jack Simone

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 04: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Utah Jazz during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 04: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Utah Jazz during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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CJ McCollum, Josh Hart, Trade
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 04: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Utah Jazz during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Reviewing the CJ McCollum-Josh Hart trade one month later: New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans fully achieved the goal they had in mind when they made the trade – win more games. CJ McCollum has improved their team tenfold and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Since he joined the Pelicans, McCollum is first on the team in scoring, ranks second in rebounds, and leads the Pelicans in assists. He’s doing a little bit of everything for them.

McCollum is averaging 27.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in New Orleans while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from behind the three-point line.

But more importantly, the team looks better. They don’t quite have a winning record since McCollum joined the squad, but they’ve inched their way into the 10th spot in the West.

This means that they’ll be competing in the play-in tournament if the standings hold, which is very clearly what they had in mind when they traded for McCollum.

It’s very easy to see how much McCollum has impacted the Pelicans. His veteran presence will be crucial to the young team’s success moving forward, and it was well worth the assets they gave up.

They’re set up nicely to win now, and both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram will have a great mentor to help lead them into the future.