Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) looks on during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Wizards Trade Star Guard Jordan Poole

Originally posted on Washington Wizards on SI
By Tyrone Montgomery | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 3:35 PM ET

With the NBA Draft approaching, The Washington Wizards have decided to get the party started early. Shockingly, the Wizards have traded Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, along with the 40th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick.

The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2025

This trade may feel a bit surprising and frustrating. Poole had his best season in the NBA with the Wizards this past season. He was the team’s leading scorer and a player the team looked to in big moments. Meanwhile, Bey hasn’t played a single game for the Wizards as he was still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in March 2024.

The Wizards are receiving a player who is on the wrong side of 30 years old in McCollum. Despite his age, he has averaged a solid and consistent 20+ points per game over his last 12 seasons in the league. Olynyk has been one of the better stretch bigs in the NBA. It will remain to be seen if the Wizards will flip their new acquisitions for another asset. However, losing the 40th overall pick hurts the team as well.

This article first appeared on Washington Wizards on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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