The Washington Wizards endured a forgettable 2024–25 NBA season, finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Determined to spark a turnaround, general manager Will Dawkins made a bold move, trading Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey for veterans CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk. The deal signals a clear shift in strategy as the franchise sets its sights on a playoff push in 2025–26.
Swapping a 25-year-old talent for a 33-year-old veteran is not a typical rebuild move, but McCollum brings leadership, experience, and scoring reliability, assets the Wizards desperately need. If the roster holds, Washington could feature a starting lineup with Kyshawn George, McCollum, Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton, and Alex Sarr—an intriguing mix of youth, experience, and versatility.
Although fans may not view this move favorably, the franchise likely aims to create salary cap space for the 2026 offseason. In addition, CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk bring veteran leadership to a roster filled with young players. With their experience, they can raise the team’s competitiveness in the short term. As a result, the front office hopes to avoid missing the NBA playoffs for another year.
How did CJ McCollum perform in the NBA 2024-25 season?
CJ McCollum wrapped up the 2024-25 NBA season with a mixed bag, featuring in only 56 games due to injury setbacks, marking one of the lowest appearances of his career. Despite these challenges, McCollum demonstrated his scoring prowess by averaging 21.1 points per game, edging past Jordan Poole’s average of 20.5 points. Additionally, he contributed significantly with 4.1 assists per game, showcasing his ability to facilitate plays.
CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter at Ball Arena February 05, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
Wizards fans, however, remain concerned about McCollum’s health, as injuries plagued their team’s season and hampered momentum. If he can stay healthy, McCollum possesses the potential to spearhead the Wizards’ offense, leveraging his veteran experience to drive the team’s success.
see also
Jordan Poole traded to New Orleans: Pelicans’ projected lineup for 2025-26 NBA season
How did Kelly Olynyk perform in the NBA 2024-25 season?
At age 34, Kelly Olynyk participated in 44 games, splitting his efforts between the Toronto Raptors and the New Orleans Pelicans. Throughout these appearances, he averaged 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, with an impressive shooting efficiency, 50.0% from the field, 41.8% beyond the arc, and 76.9% from the free-throw line.
While not a primary superstar, Olynyk remains a valuable rotational asset. Nevertheless, his challenge will be to maintain his health, having missed a substantial portion of the season due to injuries. Keeping Olynyk fit could provide vital depth and stability to the Wizards’ roster.
