Former Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has reportedly been traded to the Washington Wizards after four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the story, citing sources.
The Pelicans are also moving big man Kelly Olynyk and a future unspecified second-round pick to Washington. In return, New Orleans is receiving guard Jordan Poole, forward Saddiq Bey and the 40th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft.
CJ McCollum spent eight-and-a-half season with the Blazers after being drafted 10th by the franchise in 2013. McCollum was honored as the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2015-16 season, and was a key component of a Blazers team that made the playoffs eight seasons in a row from 2013-2021. He was traded to the Pelicans in February 2022 along with Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell for Josh Hart, Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, a protected first-round pick and two seconds.
Last season with the Pelicans McCollum averaged 21.3 points in 56 appearances, while Olynyk went for 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in 20 appearances.
Poole was the leading scorer for the Wizards last season with 20.5 points per game in 68 games. Bey did not play last season with an ACL injury.