A significant shake-up has reportedly hit the NBA landscape as the New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards have agreed to a major multi-player trade. First reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and corroborated by various sources, the deal sees key veterans head to Washington while the Pelicans acquire younger talent and draft capital.
While the trade cannot officially be completed until July 6th, coinciding with the start of the NBA’s new fiscal year, the framework is set. The Pelicans are sending veteran guard CJ McCollum, forward Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round draft pick to the Wizards. In return, New Orleans will receive guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey, and the No. 40 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. Due to the official date, the Wizards will make the No. 40 selection on behalf of the Pelicans during the draft.
Pelicans Pursue Playmaking and Youth
For the New Orleans Pelicans, this trade addresses several key needs as they navigate roster adjustments under newly hired executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. A primary motivation is the reported need for additional playmaking, especially following an Achilles tear that is expected to sideline Dejounte Murray for a substantial part of the next season. Jordan Poole, who spent considerable time playing point guard for the Wizards last season, is seen as potentially filling this void alongside star Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III.
Beyond playmaking, the Pelicans are clearly pivoting toward a younger core. Acquiring the 26-year-old Poole and the 26-year-old Bey signals a strategic shift from the 33-year-old McCollum and 34-year-old Olynyk. Poole brings significant scoring punch, having averaged 20.5 points and 4.5 assists per game last season for Washington, shooting 37.8% from three-point range. While known for being streaky, his ability to create offense is undeniable, and he brings championship experience from his time with the Golden State Warriors.
Saddiq Bey, the 19th overall pick in the 2020 draft, adds needed size and shooting depth to the wing rotation, despite missing the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from a torn ACL. He has been a consistent double-digit scorer throughout his career. With Poole and Bey joining the roster, the Pelicans project to have a core featuring Poole, Williamson, Murphy III, Yves Missi, Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, and Bey.
Furthermore, the trade bolsters New Orleans’ draft assets in the 2025 draft. They now hold three picks: Nos. 7, 23 (acquired in the recent trade sending Brandon Ingram to Toronto), and 40.
Wizards Embrace Rebuild and Future Cap Flexibility
From the Washington Wizards’ perspective, this move is a clear commitment to their ongoing youth movement and, crucially, a strategic maneuver to gain significant long-term financial flexibility. By acquiring the expiring contracts of CJ McCollum ($36.66 million in the final year) and Kelly Olynyk, the Wizards are projected to free up a massive amount of salary cap space by the summer of 2026, potentially reaching around $100 million. This financial freedom will allow them to significantly reshape their roster in the coming years.
While prioritizing the future, McCollum and Olynyk also provide immediate value. Both are respected veterans (McCollum is the NBPA President) who can offer mentorship to Washington’s young core, which includes players like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and whoever they select with the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft. The veterans are also expected to help improve the Wizards’ three-point shooting, where they struggled last season.
Additionally, these expiring veteran contracts could become valuable trade assets closer to the deadline for playoff contenders seeking depth. The Wizards receive a future second-round pick in the deal, adding to their collection of assets.
In essence, this trade serves divergent goals for both franchises. The Pelicans acquire younger talent to fit their current timeline and address specific roster needs, while the Wizards accelerate their rebuild, gain valuable draft capital, and set themselves up for a potential financial windfall in the near future.
