Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
According to John Hollinger of The Athletic, Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum could draw offers slightly above the mid-level exception this offseason.
McCollum becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Hollinger doesn't expect McCollum to sign a long-term deal. Instead, it's likely to be a one or two year deal, with the main threat for Atlanta in the marketplace being a team with cap space that could look to overpay for a season to add a veteran guard.
"I canvassed a few execs on his likely value during my recent travels, and most seemed to think one or two years at slightly above the midlevel exception was a fair ballpark (i.e., two years and $35 million to $40 million)," Hollinger wrote. "However, with tanking now verboten, a one-year balloon deal from a struggling cap-room team like the Chicago Bulls or Brooklyn Nets can't be ruled out."
By all accounts, the most likely scenario is for McCollum to re-sign with the Hawks. He even described having positive initial dialogue with Atlanta's front office.
“I did meet with your front office today, and we had a productive conversation,” McCollum said.
The Hawks acquired McCollum from the Washington Wizards in the blockbuster Trae Young trade. McCollum appeared in 41 games with Atlanta. He averaged 18.7 points per contest.
McCollum and the Hawks lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2026 playoffs in six games. Atlanta hasn't won a playoff series since 2021. That's the year Young led the franchise to the conference finals.
The 34-year-old McCollum finished the 2025-26 season averaging 18.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game with the Wizards and Hawks while shooting 45.5% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the foul line. He's been in the NBA since 2013.
It will be fascinating to see if McCollum re-signs with the Hawks or joins another team this summer. The Ohio native has played for the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Wizards and Hawks. He holds career averages of 19.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
McCollum won the 2015-16 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Blazers.
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