The NBA world was rocked on Tuesday when score-first combo guard CJ McCollum was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Washington Wizards.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, New Orleans is flipping McCollum, center/power forward Kelly Olynyk, and a future second round draft selection to Washington in exchange for pricey guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 selection in this week's 2025 NBA Draft.
It's a wild shakeup for New Orleans, who ditches the 6-foot-3 Lehigh product after three-and-a-half seasons in town.
Last year, the 33-year-old averaged 21.1 points on .444/.373/.717 shooting splits, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 56 healthy contests. That didn't stop New Orleans from finishing with a 21-61 record on the year and notching the No. 7 seed in the draft.
Despite finishing with the worst record in the NBA, the Wizards fell to the No. 6 seed in the draft lottery. Could this be a sign that Washington is looking to select a guard with the pick, and hoping to see McCollum serve as a mentor for the young elite talent?
CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans guard
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Now, the NBA world has weighed in on the move. And for now, the general consensus reaction is... confusion.
"I don't know who this helps lol," writes fan Young Simba.
McCollum is the best player in the deal, and perhaps it's an indicator that the Wizards are hoping to cultivate a veneer of respectability after so many lost seasons.
"This is such a big trade of nothingness," observes OG Anunoby Addict.
"Most pointless trade ever?" jokes Brooklyn Netcast.
Noa Dalzell of Celtics on CLNS has also weighed on the deal and, like many of us, was befuddled.
"I don't get the Wizards-Pelicans trade," Dalzell writes.