CJ

McCollum

McCollum’s shooting has been like a roller coaster recently, and Friday was one of the good nights. Having shot 12-of-42 from the field in New Orleans’ three previous games, CJ shot 50% and led the Pelicans in scoring against the Jazz. Add in the rebounds, assists, and 3-pointers; this was a good night to have him rostered. Over the past two weeks, McCollum’s shot 40.5% from the field and 65.4% from the field, so he’s ranked outside the top 150 in 9-cat formats. The season-long fantasy value remains solid; fantasy managers hope he can string together a solid run of games, beginning with Friday’s effort against the Jazz.

While his improved shooting after going 1-of-14 in Tuesday’s loss to the Timberwolves didn’t prevent the Pelicans from being blown out, McCollum needed to get back on track individually. Even with Tuesday’s stat line, he’s shot 50.3% from the field over the past two weeks, which is one reason he’s provided 5th-round value. McCollum and the Pelicans hit the road for their final two games of Week 11, beginning with Philadelphia on Friday.

After scoring 22 points or more in five consecutive games, McCollum’s production fell off a proverbial cliff on Tuesday. He established new season-lows in made field goals (one) and field goal percentage (7.1%) while matching his low with five points. Nights like Tuesday have not been the norm for McCollum, so fantasy managers should not be too concerned. He hasn’t missed a game since November 22, so CJ should be available for Wednesday’s game against the Trail Blazers.

The Pelicans’ two matchups with Washington this season came over the course of a three-day stretch. During that, McCollum was able to score 75 points while hitting 16 threes. They didn’t have any answers for him, and while the encore to his 50-point night wasn’t as effective, McCollum still did enough to help the Pelicans win consecutive games for just the second time this season. He has scored at least 20 points in five straight games and will look to keep that streak, as well as the winning streak, going against Minnesota on Tuesday.

McCollum’s 50-point game tied his career-high. The 33-year-old shooting guard became one of only three players in NBA history to have 50 points and 10 threes in 35 minutes or less. McCollum has now scored at least 32 points in three straight games. He’s taken on greater importance to the Pelicans with Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson out and fantasy managers are beginning to reap the rewards.

McCollum has scored 32 points or more in consecutive games for the first time this season, and his 35-point mark on Monday was one shy of his season-high. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, the recent scoring flurry has helped push McCollum’s season-long value into the top 75. With Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson sidelined, CJ has greater importance to fantasy managers.

McCollum produced his third 30-point game of the season on Friday, with the 32 points being four shy of his high (36 vs. Sacramento, 12/12). Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to end the Pelicans’ losing streak, now at nine games. McCollum is providing 8th-round value in 9-cat formats, but due to the injuries and poor play, this feels like a lost season for the Pelicans. Fantasy managers have to hope there won’t be a point when the team decides to shut down veterans like McCollum.

McCollum has scored 18 points or fewer in four of his last five games, with Sunday’s loss to the Nuggets (24) being the exception. While his fantasy value has held steady, with the veteran point guard providing 9th-round value in 8- and 9-cat formats, it’s fair to wonder if McCollum possesses a limited ceiling. The Pelicans getting healthy would help, but that’s no sure thing, given the injury histories of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.

From a playmaking standpoint, Sunday’s performance was McCollum’s best of the season. He dished out a season-high nine assists while committing two turnovers, with the former number more than double his season average (4.2 apg). McCollum’s fantasy ceiling has been limited due partially to the inconsistent assist production, but the floor is relatively safe. More nights like Sunday can help change that. The Pelicans are off until Thursday and only play two games in Week 9.

McCollum remains a top 100 player in 9-cat formats, but the foul shooting has been surprising, and not in a good way. He’s made 69.4% of his attempts, 11 percentage points lower than his career mark, and he’s averaging more free throws this season (2.8 per game) than last (2.1). In FT%-punt builds McCollum’s fantasy value aligns with his Yahoo ADP (87).