Pelicans NBA Championship Odds Jump After Trading CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole

• The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey from the Washington Wizards
• New Orleans sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a second-round pick to Washington
• See how the Pelicans’ NBA Championship odds improved following the blockbuster deal

The New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move on Tuesday, acquiring Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey from the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick. This is the first big swing from new executive Joe Dumars, who seems ready to rebuild around younger, high-upside talent after a brutal 21-61 season.

And oddsmakers are buying what Dumars is selling.

The table below shows the Pelicans’ championship odds movement at DraftKings following the Poole trade.

Pelicans NBA Championship Odds Movement

Now, the jump from +20000 to +15000 might not sound huge, but it’s a sign. The books are acknowledging the upside of pairing Poole with Zion Williamson and the recently acquired Dejounte Murray. Sure, the Pelicans are still longshots behind top contenders like Oklahoma City (+225) and Houston (+750), but there’s a sliver of belief.

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So what’s Poole bringing to the table?

He’s got a championship ring from his time with the Warriors, and in 2022 he played a key role behind Curry and Thompson. This past season, he averaged 20.5 points and hit a career-high 37.8% from three on 7+ attempts per game. That kind of shooting could be just what New Orleans needs to open the floor for Zion’s powerhouse drives.

Then there’s Saddiq Bey. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but before that, he was a solid starter, averaging 13.7 points and 6.5 boards in 2023-24 with Atlanta. His return adds some depth to a frontcourt that’s needed it. The Pelicans also snagged the 40th pick in Thursday’s draft, giving them three selections to continue their youth movement.

Wizards Play the Long Game

Washington’s title odds remained stuck at +100000, but that’s not the point for a franchise that won just 18 games last season.

The Wizards pulled off a masterclass in cap management by swapping Poole’s hefty two-year deal for McCollum’s expiring contract. They’re now positioned to have roughly $100 million in cap room for summer 2026, when more marquee free agents hit the market. That’s franchise-altering flexibility in today’s NBA, especially with the new CBA’s punitive tax rules.

look into the wizards future:

5 key players younger than 22
2 top 20 picks in this draft
another top pick in next years draft
$100+ million in cap space in 2026

if there is a time to compete expect it to be two years from now

will dawkins wants it to be a statement pic.twitter.com/SkffVcvG6X

— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) June 24, 2025

Plus, CJ McCollum isn’t just salary filler. He’s a seasoned vet, a playoff regular, and the NBPA president. His leadership could be huge for the Wizards’ young core, with names like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, and whoever they take with the sixth pick. And who knows? If he’s productive, Washington might flip him at the trade deadline for even more assets.

Bottom line: It’s a smart, forward-thinking play by a team in full rebuild mode.

Best Pelicans Bet

At +15000, the Pelicans are still a massive longshot. Pass.

But keep an eye on their win total when it drops. If Williamson stays healthy and Poole clicks with Murray in the backcourt, they could blow past a low number. The Western Conference is brutal, but this roster has more upside than last year’s disaster. Consider the over on wins or a small Western Conference futures bet if the price is right.

Just don’t bet the championship. Not yet.