CJ McCollum's addition to the Washington Wizards this offseason was swept under the rug when it comes to moves that could make the biggest impact this season,
On a rebuilding roster, adding yet another 34 year old to the mix didn't make the most sense to some, but that didn't stop general manager Will Dawkins from staying the course and following the game plan he clearly has believed in from the jump.
Dawkins has made it a point of emphasis to add veterans to the roster since taking the job as the shot caller in the Wizards front office.
Seeking adequate veterans may not seem like the most bullet proof plan for a team that's looking to stack young talent in order to climb into contention sooner rather than later.
Despite that, Dawkins believes a veteran presence could pay dividends to the development of the young core and could be the X-Factor in the team's rebuild.
However, for that to prove true, it takes the right veterans in the mix.
Following a failed Malcolm Brogdon experiment, it's clear that the Wizards haven't had the best of luck when it comes to landing that reliable veteran presence yet.
Nonetheless, following McCollum's preseason debut with the Wizards, he's already making Washington's front office look brilliant.
In 25 minutes, the Lehigh product put together a statement debut proving that not only can he be the veteran the Wizards need, but that he has plenty left in the tank.
McCollum led the Wizards in scoring, finishing with 19 points, while shooting 7/14 from field goal range and 5/9 from beyond the arc. In addition to his scoring burst, the playmaker grabbed five rebounds and dished two assists during his time on the floor.
The veteran guard has everything the Wizards want in terms of a mentor for their young players, especially incoming rookie Tre Johnson.
Between his professionalism. work ethic, the way he approaches the game and his abilities on the court, he's the perfect vet to fill the role the Wizards were looking to fill.
In addition to that, he also has plenty left in the tank that could allow for the Wizards to flip him and his expiring contract to a contending team ahead of the NBA trade deadline in February in hopes of landing additional draft compensation and/or young players in return.
Regardless of what the future holds for McCollum in Washington, it's clear that he's already proving the Wizards right with their decision to trade for him.