The New Orleans Pelicans gave up significant assets to acquire veteran guard CJ McCollum ahead of the trade deadline last season. Now the franchise is doubling down on its commitment by signing McCollum to an extension.
The Pelicans haven’t made an official announcement, but McCollum’s agent Sam Goldfeder confirmed the news to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski this past weekend. According to Goldfeder, his client received a two-year, $64 million extension.
With this extension, McCollum is now under contract with the Pelicans through the 2025-26 NBA season. New Orleans young stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are also on long-term deals with the same duration.
McCollum himself also confirmed having a new deal by retweeting several posts on social media.
The New Orleans Pelicans acquired CJ McCollum in early February, sending talented duo Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, among other players, alongside 2022 protected first-round pick and two second-rounders to the Portland Trail Blazers. McCollum made an immediate impact in New Orleans, playing 26 games and averaging career-high 24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
Thanks to McCollum, the Pelicans managed to sneak into the play-in tournament, where they beat the San Antonio Spurs to make the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The 31-year-old averaged 22.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in the postseason, but New Orleans fell to the Phoenix Suns in six games in the first round.
