NBA Notes: Hawks, CJ McCollum, Heat, Tyler Herro, Wizards

Hawks

Most of the attention has been on what Trae Young brings to Washington. In Atlanta, the focus is shifting quickly.

Rod Beard of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes that CJ McCollum could prove to be a valuable rest-of-season addition for the Hawks.

While Young was limited to just 10 games this season due to injuries, McCollum appeared in each of Washington’s first 35 contests and delivered steady production, averaging 18.8 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in just over 30 minutes per game. He shot efficiently, including nearly 40 percent from three.

McCollum isn’t the playmaker Young is, but Beard points out that the 34-year-old brings more defensive resistance and typically operates with lower usage while still scoring efficiently. That profile could fit well alongside Atlanta’s emerging scorers, particularly Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Heat

Heat guard Tyler Herro returned from a toe injury Tuesday and came off the bench for the first time since the 2023-24 season.

Herro downplayed the significance afterward, telling reporters that the role change wasn’t an issue.

“Just being out there was my biggest thing,” Herro said, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “I felt good. I’m healthy. So I just want to be available and be healthy.”

Availability has been the priority for Miami, and the Heat appear content easing Herro back into the mix.

Wizards

After opening the season 1-15, the Wizards have stabilized, posting a 9-11 record since and winning five of their past seven games.

Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports that several players point to a Nov. 16 players-only meeting as a turning point.

“We weren’t meeting that standard at the time,” center Marvin Bagley III said. “That meeting was well-needed. Guys spoke up. We came out closer as a unit.”

The Wizards aren’t contending, but they’re competing. And for a rebuilding team, that matters.