Pelicans Trade McCollum, Olynyk to Wizards \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and a future pick to the Wizards. Washington sends Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the No. 40 draft pick in return. The deal clears major cap space for the Wizards’ rebuild and reshapes both teams’ futures.
Quick Looks
- CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-rounder head to Washington.
- The Pelicans receive Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the 40th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
- McCollum, a 12-year veteran, brings leadership and scoring to the Wizards’ young core.
- Poole joins his third team, expected to complement the Pelicans’ revamped backcourt.
- Saddiq Bey remains a future asset for New Orleans after missing last season due to injury.
- The Wizards shed $57 million in expiring contracts, setting up $100M+ cap space by 2026.
- New Orleans continues reshaping its roster under new VP Joe Dumars.
- Both teams aim to better position themselves for the draft and future roster flexibility.
Deep Look
In a significant offseason move, the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards have agreed to a multi-player trade that aligns both franchises with their evolving goals. According to a person familiar with the deal, New Orleans is sending veteran guard CJ McCollum, center Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round pick to Washington. In return, the Pelicans will receive guard Jordan Poole, wing Saddiq Bey, and the 40th overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The trade, not yet publicly announced, marks a substantial roster overhaul for both organizations. McCollum, a seasoned scorer averaging 19.6 points per game over his 12-year career, now joins his third NBA team. Known for his leadership on and off the court, the former NBPA president adds stability and shooting to a Wizards team prioritizing youth and development. His presence could provide mentorship to a young core and instant offensive production.
Olynyk, a Canadian big man averaging 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, had a brief stint in New Orleans after being acquired from Toronto in a previous trade involving Brandon Ingram. Though his time with the Pelicans was short, Olynyk remains a reliable floor-spacing center — something the Wizards lacked last season.
Washington’s motivation, however, extends far beyond immediate talent gains. The deal clears $57 million in expiring contracts from McCollum and Olynyk for the upcoming season, potentially setting up over $100 million in cap space by summer 2026. This financial flexibility gives the Wizards a clean slate to aggressively pursue free agents or additional draft assets as they continue rebuilding after trading away Bradley Beal.
On the flip side, New Orleans is reshaping its future under new executive vice president Joe Dumars, who took over basketball operations in April. Last week, Dumars acquired the 23rd overall pick in a trade with Indiana, adding to the Pelicans’ existing No. 7 selection in Thursday’s draft. Bringing in Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey further retools a roster that is being reconstructed after years of injury concerns and inconsistent playoff contention.
Poole, once a standout scorer with Golden State, brings microwave scoring and playmaking to the Pelicans, though his inconsistency and defensive lapses have been well documented. After two up-and-down seasons in Washington, he’ll look for a fresh start in New Orleans. Poole has averaged 16.8 points per game over his six-year career and could thrive in a more defined role under Dumars’ new leadership.
Saddiq Bey, a versatile wing selected 19th overall in 2020, comes with upside but health concerns. He missed the entire past season with Washington due to reconstructive knee surgery, but his career average of 14.1 points per game with Detroit and Atlanta shows his scoring potential when healthy.
In the short term, the Wizards may see some performance improvement. They ranked near the bottom in three-point shooting last season, and both McCollum and Olynyk can stretch the floor. McCollum’s reputation as one of only three players — alongside LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan — to average at least 20 points in each of the last 10 seasons underlines his continued productivity.
With first-round picks No. 6 and No. 18 in this week’s draft, the Wizards are expected to add more young talent, possibly in the backcourt. The addition of veteran experience from McCollum and Olynyk offers balance, while the cap relief secures flexibility for future roster construction.
This trade signifies a turning point for both franchises — a cap-clearing rebuild for the Wizards and a calculated roster reboot for the Pelicans aiming to accelerate their competitive timeline in the Western Conference.
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