One day before the 2025 NBA Draft, the Wizards shocked the world by trading Jordan Poole to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The full trade includes Saddiq Bey and the 40th pick for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round pick. This move gives Washington more flexible cap space, as McCollum’s contract is expiring.
By 2026, the Wizards are projected to have over $100 million in cap space.
A Season to Remember for Poole
Poole put up career-highs across the board, averaging 20.5 points, on 37.8% from 3-point range (3.5 makes on 9.1 attempts), connecting on 235 total threes.
The 25-year-old guard also broke the Wizards’ single-season record for most 3-point makes. Poole earned a lot of fans this past season by posting great numbers and embracing being a leader for a young squad looking to build for the future.
The Player Washington Gets in Return
CJ McCollum is the big name in this Poole trade.
McCollum is one of the greatest players never to become an All-Star. He has averaged at least 20 points per game for the last ten seasons. Playing with the Pelicans for the last four seasons, McCollum has made the transition to point guard. During his time with the Trail Blazers, he played alongside Damian Lillard in the backcourt as a two-guard.
Being a combo guard who can go get a bucket is what the 12-year product out of Lehigh is known for. McCollum won the 2015-16 Most Improved Player Award when his scoring average jumped from 6.8 to 20.8. He is also a leader and can serve as a great veteran presence alongside Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart. Middleton will return to the Wizards after exercising his $33.3 million player option.
Now that Poole is gone, someone else will be looked at as the lead guard.
That player can be Bub Carrington. Carrington showed flashes in his rookie year of being a dynamic three-level scorer, especially in the midrange game.
McCollum’s arrival with the Wizards brings a new dynamic to the offense, as he can play on or off the ball, a skill that Poole somewhat struggled with during his time in DC. This frees up Carrington to take on more responsibility as the primary ball-handler. The Wizards are looking to unlock an offense that thrives on everyone touching the ball, which means everyone has an opportunity to be a playmaker, from Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Alex Sarr.
With a lower usage rate than Poole last season, CJ McCollum will fit perfectly in this offense.
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