Shock NBA Trade Upends Pelicans-Wizards Landscape: How Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey Could Change the Game

McCollum is taking being traded again in stride.

With Dejounte Murray sidelined for a chunk of next season following an Achilles tear, the New Orleans Pelicans needed more playmaking next to Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and the rest of the roster. Jordan Poole spent most of last season in Washington playing point guard for the Wizards and had a respectable year (despite the team’s struggles), showcasing improved playmaking.The funniest tweet I’ve seen today is that I’m going to get blamed for the tariffs now too 🤣🤣The Wizards are trying to lean into a young roster with Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and whoever they select with the No. 6 pick in this year’ draft, surrounded by good veterans as mentors such as McCollum and Khris Middleton (who is picking up his .3 million player option for next season). With McCollum, Olynyk and Middleton in the final years of their contracts, the Wizards could have 0 million in cap space next summer to completely reshape the roster. Washington also could use those veterans as trade bait closer to the deadline if playoff teams are looking for depth.

The New Orleans Pelicans are shaking things up big time as they navigate the tough waters left by Dejounte Murray’s Achilles injury that’s going to keep him sidelined for a good chunk of the upcoming season. Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III aren’t going to have to shoulder the playmaking burden alone anymore. Enter Jordan Poole, who made strides last year in Washington battling through a rough season with the Wizards but showed his chops as a capable point guard. That progress sparked a significant move: New Orleans is sending CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round pick over to the Wizards, bringing back Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the 40th pick in this year’s draft — a deal first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. The official dust won’t settle until July 6, but it’s clear both teams are gearing up for a fresh look. Meanwhile, McCollum’s humor in the face of another trade shows he’s taking it all in stride. On the Pelicans’ side, Poole’s 20.5 points and 4.5 assists per game, alongside a respectable 37.8% three-point shooting, might just be the spark this roster needs — especially with a deep core and multiple draft picks ready to roll. Over in Washington, a youthful nucleus backed by savvy veterans like McCollum and Khris Middleton hints at a rebuild pivot, with cap space looming large to revamp the roster next summer or make shrewd deadline moves. This swap might be more than just a trade — it’s a calculated bet on the future for both franchises. LEARN MOREThat has led to a trade. The Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Wizards for Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in this year’s draft, a story broken by Shams Charania of ESPN and confirmed by other reports. The trade cannot be made official until July 6 (in the next fiscal year for the NBA), meaning the Wizards will make the No. 40 pick for the Pelicans on Thursday.