The Washington Wizards media day brought plenty of talk about the season ahead.
Between the comments from new additions, offseason updates from returning players and what to expect for the season ahead from head coach Brian Keefe, there was an abundance of eye opening comments made on Monday,
However, one of the biggest takeaways of all may be from the team's new veteran presence in the backourt, CJ McCollum.
McCollum landed in Washington after the New Orleans Pelicans made the effort to get younger ahead of the looming season.
The Wizards decision to send Jordan Poole to New Orleans not only allowed them to be freed from the inconsistent guard's long-term contract, but they were able to land a savvy vet on an expiring deal, which is exacty what general manager Will Dawkins was looking to accomplish.
After a failed experiment with Malcolm Brogdon, it was clear entering the offseason that if the Wizards were indeed set on having a mentor in the backcourt, they'd need to make a move to bring that player in.
Between Brogdon's eventual departure in free agency, the buyout of Marcus Smart and the trade of Poole, Washington's addition of McCollum just made perfect sense.
Not to mention, when you factor in the team drafting an explosive scoring guard in Tre Johnson, the addition of McCollum in the backcourt just made the Wizards' front office look brilliant.
Through it all, it was unclear whether a 34-year-old veteran like McCollum would be willing to take on the role as a veteran leader on a rebuilding roster.
Obviously, the Lehigh product is the ultimate professional and whether he wanted to or not, he wouldn't make a scene about the situation he found himself in.
Fortunately, McCollum made it clear that not only is he willing to take on that role, but he's looking forward to doing so.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to be here," McCollum said. "To learn and to grow and help show some of the guys how to work, how to prepare.”
The guard's comments have to be music to the ears of both Dawkins and head coach Brian Keefe considering it sounds like the Wizards may have finally found the mentor for their youth movement after multiple failed attempts.
Regardless of how long McCollum stays put in Washington, it feels as if his impact will remain even after he departs from the DMV.