CJ McCollum is quietly putting together one of the more intriguing trade cases of the 2025-26 NBA season. Now in Washington and sitting at No. 12 on Sam Vecenie’s Trade Board, the veteran guard is showing there’s still plenty of juice left in his game-even if the Wizards’ record doesn’t reflect it.
Let’s start with the numbers. McCollum is averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on efficient 45/40/79 shooting splits.
But here’s the thing-those stats only tell part of the story. After a sluggish start to the season, McCollum has found his rhythm.
Strip away the first eight games, and he’s been on a tear: 22.6 points per game, shooting 48.3% from the field and 43.3% from deep. He’s even dropped a pair of 40-point performances, including game-winners against Atlanta and Milwaukee that reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be when he gets cooking.
The problem? Washington is 5-22 and firmly entrenched in a rebuild.
McCollum, at 34 years old and on an expiring $30.7 million contract, doesn’t exactly fit that timeline. That makes him a natural trade candidate heading into the February 5 deadline.
The question isn’t whether McCollum can help a playoff team-he clearly can-it’s whether any of those teams can (or will) take on that contract.
That’s where things get tricky.
McCollum's salary is a big swing for any front office, especially in a cap environment where teams are increasingly hesitant to commit major money to score-first guards unless they’re All-Star caliber. Still, there’s a path forward if Washington is willing to get creative.
One potential route? Taking back longer-term contracts in exchange for draft capital-a strategy the Wizards have used before.
A team like Sacramento, for instance, might be willing to send back one or two of their veteran guards plus a pick or two if they believe McCollum can elevate them in the West.
Of course, constructing a deal like that is easier said than done. Teams with playoff aspirations are often strapped for midseason flexibility, and matching salaries at McCollum’s number requires either a big contract going the other way or multiple smaller ones, which can complicate roster balance.
As for a potential reunion with Portland? That door seems closed for now.
The Blazers could use backcourt help with Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday out, but the math just doesn’t work. Holiday and Jerami Grant are already locked into major deals, and while Grant’s contract could theoretically be used to match McCollum’s salary, Portland’s front office doesn’t appear eager to move him-especially not if it means attaching draft picks just to make the money work.
Still, McCollum’s recent play is forcing teams to take notice. He’s proving he can still be a high-level shot-maker, a stabilizing locker room presence, and a go-to scorer in crunch time. And for a team on the cusp of contention, those traits are valuable-even if the price tag is steep.
Vecenie projects McCollum’s trade value as a return of second-round picks and salary filler, which might not sound like much for a player of his caliber. But for the Wizards, getting something now beats the risk of losing him for nothing this summer. The market may be limited, but it only takes one team to make the right offer.
The clock is ticking toward the trade deadline, and McCollum’s name is one to keep an eye on. Whether it’s a contender looking to make a push or a team willing to gamble on his scoring punch, there’s a growing sense that his time in Washington could be winding down.