According to media reports, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Washington Wizards reached a deal in which the New Orleans Pelicans sent veteran guard C.J. McCollum, center Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round draft pick in exchange for guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey, and the 40th pick in the second round of this year's NBA draft.

The deal has not been officially announced, but sources revealed that the agreement has been basically completed. McCollum, 32, is an experienced guard who averaged 19.6 points per game in his career. He will now welcome his third team in three years after leaving the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022. Olynyk switched from the Toronto Raptors to the New Orleans Pelicans midway through this season and was traded again this time.

The Washington Wizards continue to push forward the "younger" reconstruction route. Jordan Poole averages 16.8 points per game and will seek to prove himself again in a younger lineup. Although Saddiq Bey missed last season due to a knee injury, he is a forward scorer worth looking forward to when he is healthy.

In addition, the Washington Wizards have cleared a lot of salary space. The expiring contracts of McCollum and Olynyk alone have freed up about $57 million in salary flexibility for them. It is expected that by the summer of 2026, the Washington Wizards will have nearly $100 million in salary space.

After sending away Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis and other veterans, the Washington Wizards are clearly committed to building a young core. The New Orleans Pelicans have already acquired the 23rd pick through a trade, and with the original 7th pick, they will have two first-round picks on this year's draft night.

For the Wizards, McCollum's addition will not only improve their outside shooting ability, but also bring valuable locker room leadership. Poole will inject young energy and future potential into the New Orleans Pelicans. This deal may become an important watershed for the two teams to reshape their lineups.