CJ McCollum is set to enter his 13th season in the NBA with a fresh start on the horizon after joining the Washington Wizards in a trade earlier this offseason.
Obviously, finding himself on a rebuilding team isn't the most ideal move for a 34-year-old veteran, especially as his career approaches the back half.
Contending for a playoff bound team is the ideal fit for a guard of McCollum's age and while he seems more than willing to embrace his new role as a mentor on the Wizards, there's no doubt that eventually the leadership role on a team with little motivation to win will eventually become exhausting.
The competitive drive for a vet chasing a ring will eventually lead to McCollum hoping the opportunity presents itself for him to find a new squad at some point this season.
However, for McCollum to find that role on another team, it's going to take more than just the Wizards looking to do right by him.
In fact, Washington would probably be more than willing to move on from the veteran's contract ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February, but considering how steep McCollum's contract is, it'll be extremely difficult for the Wizards to find a trade partner capable of making a deal.
With the harsh restrictions of the CBA guidelines and the lack of ability for certain teams to aggregate contracts in outgoing deals, matching the incoming salary of McCollum would be a tall task, even with it being an expiring contract.
And for any teams that were in position to make a deal for McCollum, it may not be worth the price considering they'd have to package several contracts in order to make a deal happen.
That said, the only realistic option for McCollum to get the chance to find a spot on a new squad would be coming to an agreement with the Wizards on a contract buyout that would allow him to hit the open market.
McCollum would likely need to weigh whether he values cashing in fully on what will likely be his last big contract in the NBA, or would he rather give some of the money back and get the opportunity to compete with a contending team.
If McCollum is willing to accept a buyout from the Wizards, the guard would quickly become one of the most intriguing players available.
Until then, he'll serve as a veteran mentor on the Wizards young team.