NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans focus on shopping $33 million veteran guard amid Brandon Ingram’s market going cold
One of the latest NBA trade rumors involves the New Orleans Pelicans and their reported decision to part ways with one of their veterans. The Pels are off to a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season and the rumors are already coming. Brandon Ingram has been named a potential trade chip for the West team, but the lack of interest in his services might force the team to change its plans.
According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, CJ McCollum is a trade candidate for the Pelicans amid their 4-16 start. McCollum is making $33.3 million this year and is set to make $30.7 million in 2025-26.
McCollum was traded to the Pelicans in the 2021-22 NBA season after failing to help Damian Lillard return to the Western Conference finals in Portland. As soon as he landed at Smoothie King Center, he became a leader, and while the team had some decent seasons, they couldn't make a deep playoff run.
Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson were expected to lead this team to compete for important things, but time has proven the front office wrong and now might be time for a reset.
McCollum is the candidate to leave the team in the latest NBA trade rumor, but it's unclear which team will show interest in the guard. In 174 games with New Orleans, CJ McCollum averages 21.1 points, 5.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the Pels. He's shot 45.4% from the field and 40.5% from deep.
Fans react to latest NBA trade rumors involving CJ McCollum
As soon as the news came to life, fans react to the latest NBA trade rumors involving the Pelicans and McCollum. Some pointed out that the market should be even worse for CJ McCollum if opposing teams weren't interested in Brandon Ingram.
"I don’t see any team trading for CJ McCollum," one fan said.
"If no one wanted Ingram what makes them think anyone wants McCollum????" another fan questioned.
"Seriously which dumb team would trade for CJ and that terrible $63M contract?? Ingram is at least on a expiring contract, right?" another fan asked.
Others focused on the bad moment the Pelicans are going through right now.
"They quietly are in one of the worst position of any franchise rn I'm ngl," one fan wrote.
As the weeks go by, NBA trade rumors will get more interesting, and this Pelicans should be one of the most intriguing.