Wizards’ CJ McCollum Struggles in Early Season Performance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Wizards had high hopes when they traded for guard CJ McCollum this summer. However, four games into the season, McCollum is struggling, averaging just 13.3 points per game, the lowest of his career.

McCollum, a two-time NBA All-Star, was acquired in a deal that sent Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to the Golden State Warriors. The Wizards expected McCollum to provide veteran leadership and be a primary scoring option for their young roster.

Since his breakout 2015-16 season, McCollum had consistently averaged between 20 to 23.1 points per game for a decade. Last season, he scored 21.1 points per game with a shooting percentage of 37.3 from beyond the arc. This season, however, he is shooting only 32.1 percent from the field and 25.9 percent from 3-point range.

Despite not turning the ball over, McCollum has seen his effectiveness wane. He has managed only 20 assists across the first four games, and his defensive performance has also raised concerns, as he struggles to contain opponents.

While McCollum is known for his leadership qualities and ability to mentor younger players, including guards Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson, the Wizards may need him to perform at his previous level on the court for the team to succeed.

There is still time for McCollum to improve, as players like Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr may provide him with better assist opportunities. However, if this trend continues, it could signal a shift in McCollum’s role within the league as he could be transitioning to a backup position in the future.