"When the team elected to move Jordan Poole in exchange for CJ McCollum just before the NBA Draft, at the time the trade didn't seem to make the most sense at first. Nonetheless, as time went on, it seemed like the motive behind the deal was not only to move off Poole's contract, but also to maintain some financial flexibility with McCollum's contract expiring after the 2025-26 season."
"Despite that, the guard is one of the best professionals in the league and he seems. to be more than willing to take on the roll as a mentor while he's on the Wizards. The pairing of McCollum to be the vet to help Johnson during his rookie season is the ideal fit and it seemingly hasn't taken long for that to prove to be true."
The Washington Wizards prioritized getting younger and adding upside during the offseason, targeting players who could develop into core pieces. Cam Whitmore drew attention as a potential breakout if a change of scenery helps his development, but he was not the team's primary offseason plan. The Wizards instead focused on No. 6 overall pick Tre Johnson as a central piece. Management traded Jordan Poole for CJ McCollum to clear salary and retain financial flexibility, with McCollum's expiring contract aiding that goal. The veteran McCollum is expected to serve as a mentor for rookie Tre Johnson, and early signs suggest their pairing is fitting.
Read at Wiz of Awes
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