Sun, Jul 6, 2025 at 4:00pm

McCOLLUM MOVED TO WASHINGTON

In a three-team trade, the Washington Wizards acquired guard CJ McCollum, center/forward Kelly Olynyk and a second-round draft pick in 2027 from the New Orleans Pelicans, and forward Cam Whitmore from the Houston Rockets; New Orleans acquired guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey and a second-round draft pick in 2025 (No. 40 overall) from the Wizards; and Houston acquired guard Mojave King from the Pelicans, and a second-round draft pick in 2026 and a second-round draft pick in 2029 from the Wizards.

What does it give the Washington Wizards
The Wizards are adding McCollum here while subtracting Poole from their guard roster. Will McCollum play the point alongside Kyshawn George, or will he slide over the the shooting guard and team up with Bub Carrington? It appears head coach Brian Keefe has options heading into 2025-26. Olynyk can come off the bench at either center or power forward and provide veteran scoring and leadership. Whitmore is also an intriguing forward option for Washington.

What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are open for business this off-season, so it should come as no surprise that they moved McCollum. Poole is an offensive guard who can play either the point or the shooting guard position. Will he pair up with defensive whiz Dejounte Murray (when healthy) in 2025-26? Bey has been beset by injury in recent years, so he has a lot to prove in New Orleans in 2025-26. And the second-rounder was used to select swingman Micah Peavy.

What does it give the Houston Rockets
For Houston, their inclusion in this trade is mainly about moving on from Cam Whitmore. Since Houston is acquiring veteran superstar Kevin Durant this off-season, they did not have room to keep all of their other forwards. In return for Whitmore, the Rockets were able to get two future second-round draft picks from Washington. They also took a flier on King, a second-round draft pick in 2023 who has already been traded a few times.

Fantasy impact
Both McCollum and Poole are solid fantasy options heading into 2025-26. McCollum is the more established and better all-around guard but do not sleep on Poole as a member of the Pelicans. As for Saddiq Bey and Kelly Olynyk, who were both included in this trade, neither player is likely to make much of a fantasy impact with their new teams. Pass on both. Whitmore may have a chance for significant playing time in D.C. He has fantasy sleeper appeal in 2025-26.

Player focus

Washington Wizards

CJ McCollum G

Kelly Olynyk C/F

Cam Whitmore F

Draft pick - Round 2 in 2027

New Orleans Pelicans

Jordan Poole G

Saddiq Bey F

Draft pick - Round 2(40) in 2025

Houston Rockets

Draft pick - Round 2 in 2026

Draft pick - Round 2 in 2029

Mojave King G