A Jordan Poole Trade Idea for a Desperate Western Conference NBA Team

The New Orleans Pelicans are finishing a brutal season, primarily marred by injuries. They could overreact and do something wild, but the more likely path forward is to improve the roster while hoping for a healthier 2025-26 campaign.

Unfortunately, it may be a while until point guard Dejounte Murray returns from the Achilles injury that he suffered at the end of January. The Pelicans will get help in the draft with a high pick, but they may be short a lead guard for much of next season.

Enter the Washington Wizards, who are still early in their rebuild and have a mercurial guard with a championship on his resume. Jordan Poole may not be atop the Pelicans' wish list, but he'd arguably make sense as a trade target this offseason.

Full Trade Scenario

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Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins

New Orleans Pelicans receive: Jordan Poole

Washington Wizards receive: CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins

Note: This trade can't become official until July 6 (after the annual moratorium), as the Wizards are too close to their first-apron hard cap through the end of June.

The move would trigger a first-apron hard cap (approximately $195.9 million) for the Wizards since McCollum and Hawkins earn more than Poole. The Pelicans would lock in a second-apron hard cap (about $207.8 million) by aggregating McCollum and Hawkins for Poole.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans Do It

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Pelicans forward Zion Williamson

The Pelicans have entered each of the last two seasons over the luxury-tax threshold. Since they ritualistically avoid paying the tax, they executed deals ahead of the trade deadlines to get under the tax line (dealing Kira Lewis Jr. last year and Brandon Ingram this past February).

As currently constructed, the Pelicans should reach a 14- or 15-man roster under next year's projected $187.9 million luxury-tax line. That's without retaining top free agent Bruce Brown Jr., who came over in the Ingram deal from the Toronto Raptors.

Finances aside, New Orleans must improve its on-court product after a disappointing season. The biggest question is Murray's timeline, as an Achilles tear often has a full year recovery period. Relying on McCollum (34 in September) and 6'0" reserve Jose Alvarado may lead to similar results.

Poole, who turns 26 in June, has helped restore his reputation as a player in Washington despite how poorly the team has fared this season. The 6'4" Poole is a combo guard who could start in Murray's absence and shift to shooting guard or a sixth-man role. He's averaging 20.5 points and 4.5 assists per game this season while shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range. He's significantly younger than McCollum and has championship experience with the Golden State Warriors.

Poole may not be a home run acquisition. If he was, the Pelicans wouldn't be adding a 20-points-per-game scorer for an aging player on an expiring contract and a young guard in Hawkins who has yet to establish himself as a rotation fixture.

Poole earns slightly more than McCollum, but shedding Hawkins would give the Pelicans extra breathing room under the tax. Poole's contract is one year longer than McCollum's, but New Orleans doesn't project to be trying to get under the salary cap in 2026.

Why the Washington Wizards Do It

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Jordan Hawkins and CJ McCollum

The Wizards continue to add young talent without internal pressure to rush the winning process. By adding high-character veterans like Khris Middleton (in February from the Milwaukee Bucks) and McCollum for Poole, Washington would surround its prospects with impressive mentorship.

Poole is not a long-term fixture. McCollum is on a shorter contract, which would help the Wizards shed $34-38.3 million from their 2026-27 cap sheet. The upside play is Hawkins. The soon-to-be 23-year-old was the No. 14 overall pick in 2023 after winning the NCAA championship at UConn. He shot 37.6 percent from three-point range in college, but that hasn't quite translated yet to the NBA level.

Still, Hawkins' percentage climbed from 33.1 percent as a rookie to 36.6 percent this season. Washington would have the opportunity to foster continued growth from Hawkins while simultaneously getting off Poole's deal.

It should be an easy "yes" for the Wizards. The larger question would be the Pelicans' evaluation of Poole, and how well he can fill in for Murray—and eventually play alongside him once New Orleans gets back to full strength next season.

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