The New Orleans Pelicans have surprised everyone after trading for CJ McCollum. They improved drastically since acquiring him from the Portland Trail Blazers at the trade deadline and beat the Phoenix Suns twice in the NBA playoffs after winning two games in the play-in tournament to make it there.

McCollum is under contract for two more seasons but has an interest in staying in the Big Easy for longer. He told Marc Spears of Adscape that New Orleans is his home and he is looking to retire with the Pelicans.

“I’m not going nowhere. I’m here,” McCollum recently told Andscape. “Where am I going to go? Leave for what? I want to retire here. I’m 30 years old and I have a son who is 13 weeks old. I’m married. When you have something good, you hold on to it. This is something fun for both sides. We’re going to grow. I’m still learning the city. I’m going to find a house.”

The Pelicans' future, once perceived to be pretty dreary, is now very bright. Zion Williamson's injuries will always look over them but the core they have healthy is a solid one. McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas are strong scorers while their rookie trio of Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado and Trey Murphy III bring the defensive intensity.

Although the Suns lead the Pelicans 3-2 in the NBA playoffs, no one thought they would be here anyway. Their season is a massive win regardless of how it ends.

McCollum spoke the Pelicans' berth in the NBA playoffs into existence after being traded there. If Williamson comes back and dominates like he did last season, New Orleans could have something special on their hands. The McCollum trade is already paying off big-time.