Hawks agree – CJ McCollum has agreed to a one-year, $21 million extension with the Atlanta Hawks, a deal that includes a trade kicker. The 34-year-old arrived mid-season from the Washington Wizards and helped drive Atlanta back to the playoffs after missing them in each of
On a Sunday that carried the quiet weight of a franchise decision, the Atlanta Hawks moved to lock in their veteran backcourt. CJ McCollum agreed to a one-year, $21 million extension with the Hawks, with the new deal also including a trade kicker.
McCollum, 34, did not start the season in Atlanta. He landed mid-season from the Washington Wizards in the Trae Young deal, stepping into a team with unfinished work and, just as importantly, a shot at changing its own trajectory.
Over 76 games between the Wizards and the Hawks, the 13-year veteran averaged 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists. With Atlanta specifically, in 41 games that included 25 starts, he posted 18.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and one steal per game.
Those numbers mattered, but they weren’t the only reason the fit was clear. McCollum, a former 10th-overall pick, has now made 150-plus three-pointers in 11 straight seasons, hitting 37.5% from deep. For the Hawks. that kind of consistent shooting has real consequences—especially when playoff basketball tightens everything and spacing becomes non-negotiable.
Atlanta’s regular season swing with him in the starting lineup gave the decision an edge. The Hawks went 19-4 when McCollum was a starter during the regular season, and their push was enough to send them back to the NBA Playoffs after missing out in each of the previous two seasons.
The postseason, though, brought a harsh finish. Atlanta was bounced in the first round by the eventual champion New York Knicks after six games. McCollum still left a mark, ranking second on the team in playoff scoring with 19.2 points per game, plus three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
His path to Atlanta traces back to a decade-plus career built on continuity and adaptation. McCollum began with the Portland Trail Blazers after they drafted him in 2013. spending the first nine years of his career in Portland. He was then dealt to the New Orleans Pelicans. where he spent four seasons in the Big Easy before joining the Wizards for a half season via trade.
CJ McCollum Atlanta Hawks NBA contract extension trade kicker Trae Young deal New York Knicks Portland Trail Blazers Washington Wizards New Orleans Pelicans
21 million for one year?? That seems like way too much for a dude who’s 34.
So he’s staying because of a trade kicker? Lol I don’t even understand that stuff, but sounds like Hawks were desperate to keep him in the Trae Young deal.
Wait I thought the Hawks already traded him back to Washington or something, because I saw a clip where he wasn’t wearing Hawks gear. Maybe that was old footage? Either way they got bounced by the Knicks in 6 so idk why we acting like this is a big win.
One-year $21M with a trade kicker feels like cap magic more than “confidence.” Like if they make another first round exit, this basically becomes a contract story for nobody to care about. Also 37.5% from 3 is good but playoffs tighten up and suddenly every shot is hard, so we’ll see. Knicks smoked them, not sure what changing one veteran does.