Wizards absolutely fleeced the Pelicans in Jordan Poole trade

"The Washington Wizards started the offseason off with a bang becoming one of the first teams to get active on the trade market. Flipping Jordan Poole's contract and Saddiq Bey in a package along with draft capital to land CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick. Washington's motive was more or less finally landing an adequate veteran presence to lead the backcourt after the team's failed Malcolm Brogdon experiment."

"However, the idea of finally moving on from Poole's contract was too good to be true following his career year for the Wizards. Considering where things stood after Poole's first season in Washington ended with him being benched, from being viewed as one of the worst contracts in the league to a player with at least some value was something Washington couldn't overlook."

"Not only did the Pels' offload McCollum's expiring contract, but they took on Poole's $34 million contract that stays on the books until the 2026-27 season. In addition to the guard's robust contract number, the unlikely incentives linked into his contract will almost certainly prove to make things even tougher for the Pelicans to trade him in a separate deal if his fit in New Orleans isn't what either side hoped it could be."

The Washington Wizards traded Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and draft capital to acquire CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick. The primary motive was to add an experienced, reliable veteran to stabilize the backcourt after the Malcolm Brogdon experiment failed. Jordan Poole produced a career year that reversed perceptions of his contract value, making Washington less eager to move him. The New Orleans Pelicans accepted Poole's remaining $34M salary and contract incentives while offloading McCollum's expiring deal, which creates financial complications. The incentives and salary will make Poole difficult to trade and do not materially improve the Pelicans' contention prospects. Further roster moves are likely for New Orleans.

Read at Wiz of Awes