Report: Pelicans trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk to Wizards for package that includes Jordan Poole
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Washington Wizards for a package that includes Jordan Poole, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Per the report, the Pelicans are also sending a future second-round pick to Washington. In addition to Poole, the Wizards are sending the Pelicans Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft. The deal signals a further roster overhaul of the Pelicans' core after New Orleans traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors during the season.
What the trade means for both teams
Acquiring McCollum's expiring contract in exchange for the remaining two years on Poole's deal will leave the Wizards with $100 million in projected cap space during the 2026 offseason, according to Charania.
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McCollum, 33, was a three-plus year starter for the Pelicans after arriving via trade from the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021-22 season. McCollum was previously Damian Lillard's backcourt running mate in Portland.
During his Pelicans tenure, McCollum averaged 21.1 points, 5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1 steal per game while shooting 45.2% from the floor and 39.8% from 3. He'll provide an upgrade in the starting backcourt and a veteran presence on a young Wizards roster in the midst of another rebuild. McCollum has one year and $36.66 million remaining on a two-year contract.
Olynyk arrived in New Orleans via the Ingram trade and will offer a veteran presence in the post alongside second-year center Alex Sarr, who showed improvement during his rookie season as a full-time starter after being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft.
Olynyk averaged 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 41.8% from 3 with the Raptors and Pelicans last season.
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Poole, 26, will join the Pelicans two years after joining the Wizards via trade from the Golden State Warriors in 2023. He has two years remaining on a four-year, $128 million contract. He's due $31.8 million in 2025-26 and $34 million in 2026-27.
In two seasons as Washington's starting shooting guard, Poole averaged 18.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 42.2% from the floor and 35.3% from 3-point distance.
Bey, 26, missed the 2024-25 season with a torn ACL. He averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game with the Atlanta Hawks in 2023-24.
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