CJ McCollum's time with the Wizards might already have a defined endpoint. At the start of the season, he was expected to be a veteran leader guiding the team's young talent. After past unsuccessful attempts with players like Kyle Kuzma and Malcolm Brogdon, fans hoped McCollum would create a positive and lasting influence in Washington.
The former Pelicans guard showed promise in limited preseason minutes, and at the season's onset, he appeared poised to be a key scorer who could stabilize the young roster during tough moments. This sparked hope that the Wizards might outperform expectations.
However, in his first six games with Washington, McCollum has proven to be more of a liability than an asset. His overall impact on the team’s play, especially offensively, has been disappointing.
"The guard is averaging 14.2 points, 3.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds, while shooting 37.2% from field goal range and 38.5% from beyond the arc."
Despite these numbers being reasonable for a 34-year-old adjusting to a new team, his on-court contribution has not met expectations and has somewhat hindered the team's offensive output.
Though initially seen as a veteran mentor, McCollum's early stint with the Wizards suggests a shorter and less impactful stay than fans had hoped.
Author's note: CJ McCollum’s early struggles with Washington hint that his role could be more limited than expected, affecting the team’s offensive rhythm.