The Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards have officially initiated the trade season, with the Wizards making headlines by acquiring Trae Young in a deal involving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. This trade has raised eyebrows across the league due to the perceived lackluster return for the Wizards. For New Orleans Pelicans fans, this situation serves as a reminder of a puzzling trade executed by their own front office during the offseason.
In the summer, the Pelicans exchanged McCollum, along with Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick, with the Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the 40th overall pick, which was subsequently used to select Micah Peavy. With the light shed on what the Wizards were able to obtain for McCollum’s expiring contract, the Pelicans’ trade appears increasingly questionable in retrospect. Although Bey has shown promise as a reliable contributor and Peavy holds potential, the significant financial burden of Poole’s contract outweighs the benefits.
Poole, currently making $31.8 million this season, is set to earn $34 million in the 2026-27 season. Given his performance thus far—hitting just 36.5% of his field goal attempts and 31% from three-point range—his value has plummeted. Poole’s efficiency and assist rates have dropped dramatically, further complicating the situation as he has also struggled defensively. In stark contrast, McCollum is enjoying a better season, with the added benefit of his contract expiring at the end of this season. The Pelicans could have leveraged McCollum’s contract to acquire a younger player who could be integrated into their core for years.
While the Wizards are positioned to use McCollum in a deal for a three-time All-Star still in his prime, the Pelicans’ choice to take on Poole and his unfavorable salary for the same player is a disappointing miscalculation. As the Pelicans navigate a tough season, Poole’s struggles have quietly transformed him into a distressed asset, and the front office may find it challenging to extricate themselves from his contract without sacrificing further value.
This trade reflects a clear misjudgment of player values by Joe Dumars and the Pelicans’ management. Whether it was a failure to properly evaluate McCollum or an overestimation of Poole’s potential, the repercussions of this deal are evident. As expectations grow, the Pelicans may face the need to part with additional assets should they wish to move on from Poole’s contract, which only adds to the mounting doubts surrounding Dumars’ recent decisions. The franchise faces an uphill battle as they look to bounce back from this trade blunder.