As the New Orleans Pelicans endure a dismal 4-16 start to the season, the franchise is reportedly shopping veteran guard CJ McCollum, fueling speculation of a major roster shakeup. According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, McCollum’s $33.3 million salary and declining production—averaging 21.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.6 rebounds on 45% shooting and a career-low 37.1% from three-point range—make him a prime trade candidate.
With McCollum’s deal expiring in 2025-26, his contract could appeal to teams looking for short-term scoring help while maintaining financial flexibility. Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ inability to find a market for Brandon Ingram’s $36 million salary has further complicated their efforts to overhaul the roster.
As Pelicans writer Shamit Dua reported on Saturday, “There’s a widespread expectation among league sources that when Brandon Ingram’s 15 days are up and he is eligible to sign with a new agency, he will sign with Klutch”, leaving McCollum as a more viable path to reducing salary and reshaping the team’s future.
The Pelicans’ pivot toward a reset year underscores a pressing need to exit the luxury tax and build around a new core. While Ingram remains the team’s top scorer at 22.9 points per game, his market is limited due to contract uncertainties, making McCollum’s situation more pressing.
Teams seeking backcourt reinforcements will undoubtedly monitor McCollum, whose steady veteran presence and scoring touch could spark interest despite his recent shooting struggles. New Orleans faces tough decisions, balancing their short-term woes with long-term goals in a crowded Western Conference. With McCollum on the trading block, the league will watch closely to see if the Pelicans’ shakeup signals the beginning of a broader rebuild.
