Great Article by Marc Spears on CJ and New Orleans

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PHOENIX — NBA star Chris Paul wanted out of the New Orleans Hornets when the ownership was in disarray. NBA star Anthony Davis asked to be traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to get his wish of playing with LeBron James and winning a title with the Los Angeles Lakers. Jrue Holiday was able to exit New Orleans and get traded to Milwaukee, where he won an NBA title. And there have also been rumors about whether the Pelicans’ injury-plagued star, Zion Williamson, is truly committed long term to New Orleans.

As for Pelicans guard CJ McCollum, 2½ months after being traded to New Orleans, he is taking a different approach. McCollum strongly maintains that he is committed to New Orleans and dreams of success and playing the final game of his career with the franchise.

“I’m not going nowhere. I’m here,” McCollum recently told Andscape. “Where am I going to go? Leave for what? I want to retire here. I’m 30 years old and I have a son who is 13 weeks old. I’m married. When you have something good, you hold on to it. This is something fun for both sides. We’re going to grow. I’m still learning the city. I’m going to find a house.”

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Why did you want to come to New Orleans?

Looking at where I’m at in my career, what I’m trying to accomplish before I’m done, what I’m willing to try and accomplish as a team, obviously, are the reasons. You know the love this city kind of shows people that reciprocate love to them. It just makes sense. The opportunities I’d have on the court, obviously, the players that I’d be playing with, the staff, the league and former players who spoke really highly of it, including CP [Chris Paul]. I spoke to JJ [Redick] about it. I spoke to everybody about it. Meeting with [Pelicans general manager and former NBA player] Trajan Langdon. Meeting with Griff [Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin]. Understanding Trajan’s background with what he was able to accomplish as a player.

You respect him as a person in the front office. Then there is BI’s game, JV [Jonas Valanciunas], Zion [Williamson], Herb [Jones], Trey [Murphy], Jaxson [Hayes] … a lot of young talent they’re considered and they’re going to get even better. I felt like I was what they were missing, and they were what I was missing.

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What are you trying to instill in Zion Williamson?

Just guidance when he asks for it. It’s not forced. I don’t force relationships. I don’t force mentor, none of that. As a teammate, I just want to see them be successful and I’m here to answer any questions he may have. I’m here to get the most out of him, the best out of him and help him become what we want him to become, a superstar. That is what we are working on. He works hard. He’s smart. He asks a lot of questions. He wants to learn. He cares.

It’s going to be easy. We’ve already built a good relationship. He’d tell you, but he’s not speaking to the media. I’m just here to be a shoulder to lean on and a guy who has done things he wants to accomplish.

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