3 for 3! Poole teams up with Zion! Another blockbuster trade in the West.

Oh wow, Shams has reported another major trade, as follows:

The Pelicans acquire Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the 40th pick this year;

the Wizards receive CJ McCollum, Olynyk, and a future second-round pick.

Another team in the West has upgraded; with Poole and Saddiq Bey joining, the Pelicans have become younger and more dynamic. If they can maintain overall health this season, avoiding the injury woes of last season, they have a strong chance to contend for the playoffs and even further.

The 26-year-old former Warriors champion guard Poole has spent two seasons with the Wizards, averaging 20.5 points, 3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in the 24-25 season, hitting 3.5 three-pointers per game at a 37.8% shooting rate, including multiple 40+ point games. While he may not be the next Harden as envisioned, he has still proven his scoring ability.

Poole's current contract runs until the summer of 2027, with salaries of $31.85 million and $34.04 million in the next two seasons. He will form a new backcourt duo with Murray, providing support for Zion’s offensive efforts.

If the Pelicans are willing to play a small lineup next season, they could start a lineup of Murray, Poole, Jones, Murphy, and Zion. As long as the chemistry is good, they could be quite competitive, though, as mentioned, health is crucial; otherwise, it would all be for nothing.

As for CJ, upon joining his new team, he will lead the charge for the 2026 draft pick, which is rumored to be packed with talent. Moreover, next season is a contract year, so the Wizards' goal in acquiring him is quite clear. This is why they were willing to trade two players in their twenties for a soon-to-be 34-year-old veteran.

However, looking at it from another perspective, CJ can freely rack up stats with the Wizards without pressure, setting himself up for another big contract in the summer of 2026, which could be the last significant contract of his career. Every situation has its pros and cons, and since there are no other options, one might as well be an optimist.

Last season, CJ started all 56 regular-season games for the Pelicans, averaging 32.7 minutes per game, scoring 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, with shooting percentages of 44.4%, 37.3%, and 71.7%, including a single game where he exploded for 50 points. His skills are still sharp, and he has plenty of fuel left in the tank.

What do the fans think about this trade? Feel free to share your thoughts boldly in the comments section!