What role will CJ McCollum play for the Washington Wizards?

CJ McCollum is expected to bring veteran leadership and scoring to the Wizards. His role will be to guide the younger players and provide a scoring punch.

How does Kelly Olynyk fit into the Wizards' plans?

Kelly Olynyk will provide spacing and shooting from the center position. He is a stretch-five who shot a career-high 41.8 percent from downtown during the 2024-25 season.

What is Jordan Poole's role with the New Orleans Pelicans?

Jordan Poole is expected to replace McCollum's offense and provide instant scoring for the Pelicans. He fits better with the team's young core at 26 years old.

What financial flexibility does this trade give the Wizards?

The Wizards project to have nearly $100 million in 2026 salary cap space, giving them flexibility for further contract absorption deals and free agency spending.

How will this trade impact the Wizards' young core?

the trade frees up more possessions, shots, and decision-making opportunities for the Wizards' young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and keyshawn George.

What is Saddiq Bey's expected role for the Pelicans?

Saddiq Bey is expected to provide wing depth and scoring off the bench for the Pelicans once he recovers from his ACL injury.

Tag:

free agency

News

San Jose Sharks Podcast: Steve Peters on Lines, Reaves, Skinner & 2027-28 Plan

by Emma Walker – News Editor July 14, 2025

written by Emma Walker – News Editor

The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is proudly sponsored by Bring Hockey Back.

San jose Sharks GM Mike Grier’s Offseason Moves Under Scrutiny as Podcast Delves into Team’s Future

San Jose, CA – as the San Jose Sharks navigate a significant offseason, long-time NHL video coach Steve Peters offers an in-depth analysis of the team’s revamped roster and strategic direction. In the latest episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, Peters breaks down potential forward lines, identifies a dark horse player for the upcoming season, and discusses the impact of recent acquisitions.

The podcast opens with host Sheng discussing the recent trade of Ryan Reaves, exploring the potential rationale behind the move from the Sharks’ perspective. This segment sets the stage for a broader conversation about General Manager Mike Grier’s long-term vision, especially concerning the team’s projected competitiveness in the 2027-28 season. The discussion highlights how the sharks’ rebuild strategy may differ from those undertaken by franchises like the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia flyers.

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Peters’ insights, begining with his projections for the Sharks’ forward lines. He also identifies a “sleeper” player who could make a notable impact this season.Peters addresses the ongoing challenge of finding a suitable winger to complement center William Smith and analyzes where Ryan Reaves might fit into the team’s structure. The contributions of Collin Graf are also highlighted.

The depth of the Sharks’ bottom-six forward group is noted, and the podcast touches upon the growth of young talent like Michael Misa, with Peters offering his perspective on whether Penn State is the optimal path for his career progression.

Shifting to the defensive pairings, Peters outlines his ideal defensive alignments for the Sharks. He also assesses the remaining effectiveness of veteran defensemen Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg, and evaluates the potential for Sam Dickinson to secure a regular spot in the Sharks’ lineup.

In the goaltending department, Peters expresses his approval of the addition of Alex Nedeljkovic. The conversation extends to the team’s special teams performance and the potential for enhancement. Peters also shares his thoughts on the neutral zone forecheck strategy implemented by Ryan Warsofsky late last season.

A key question addressed is whether the current iteration of the Sharks is an improvement over the team that opened the previous season. The podcast concludes with Peters reflecting on his experience as a video coach for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup.

Fans can subscribe to the San Jose Hockey Now YouTube channel for more content. The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.

July 14, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Why Reaves & Skinner? Grier’s Grand Plan? My Thoughts on Sharks’ Latest Moves (+)

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor July 13, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Sharks Likely Done Tinkering With Roster This Summer

After acquiring **Ryan Reaves** and **Jeff Skinner**, the San Jose Sharks have likely concluded their roster enhancements for the summer, prompting questions about the team’s overall improvement and the strategy behind recent trades.

GM Signals End to Off-Season Moves

According to General Manager **Mike Grier**, the Sharks are probably finished making acquisitions this summer. “I would say we probably are finished,” Grier stated on Friday.

Reaves for Thrun: A Puzzling Trade?

The trade that sent **Henry Thrun** to acquire **Ryan Reaves** has raised questions. The surface assessment of the swap may not immediately reveal the Sharks’ reasoning.

The Role of Enforcers

**Ryan Reaves** brings a physical presence. During the 2022-2023 season, penalties for fighting in the NHL were at their highest in five years, with 0.17 fighting penalties per game Statista 2023.

July 13, 2025 0 comments

Sport

NBA Free Agency & Trades: Ayton, Beasley & Latest News

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor June 30, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Wizards, Pelicans Execute Trade: Examining the Roles of Key Players

Table of Contents

Wizards, Pelicans Execute Trade: Examining the Roles of Key Players

In a move highlighting the NBA’s relationship-driven business landscape, the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans finalized a trade on June 30, 2025, that sees Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey heading to New Orleans, while CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk join the Wizards.The trade, facilitated by the pre-existing relationships between Wizards executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins, and Pelicans executive Troy Weaver, all formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder, aims to reshape both teams’ rosters and financial outlooks.

Key Player Roles in the Trade

The Wizards are trading Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the No. 40 pick to the Pelicans for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round pick. This move significantly impacts the roles of several players on both teams.

CJ McCollum: Veteran Leadership in Washington

McCollum, a 33-year-old guard, is expected to bring veteran leadership to the Wizards’ locker room. He has averaged 20 or more points in 10 straight seasons and is known for his scoring ability. His expiring $30.67 million contract also provides the Wizards with potential trade versatility ahead of the February trade deadline. McCollum’s role will be to guide the younger players and provide a scoring punch while the team develops its young core.

Kelly Olynyk: Stretch-Five Versatility

Olynyk, a 34-year-old center, is a stretch-five who shot a career-high 41.8 percent from downtown during the 2024-25 season. His expiring $13.45 million contract offers the Wizards financial flexibility. Olynyk’s role will be to provide spacing and shooting from the center position, complementing the team’s young guards and forwards.

Jordan Poole: Offensive Spark in New Orleans

For the Pelicans, Poole is expected to replace McCollum’s offense. At 26 years old, Poole fits better with the team’s young core. He is coming off a career-best 37.8 percent from downtown. Poole’s role will be to provide instant offense and scoring, taking some of the pressure off Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

Saddiq bey: Wing Depth

Bey, who recently turned 26, missed last season with a torn left ACL. He has averaged 14.1 points in four seasons combined with the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks. Bey’s role will be to provide wing depth and scoring off the bench once he recovers from his injury.

Financial Implications and Future Flexibility

The Wizards sent out $40 million in salary for the 2026-27 season without taking any back in return. Washington projects to have nearly $100 million in 2026 salary cap space, giving the franchise flexibility for further contract absorption deals while not ruling out free agency spending in 2026. This financial flexibility allows the Wizards to rebuild through the draft and potentially add key free agents in the future.

Did You Know? The NBA salary cap for the 2024-25 season was $141 million, a figure that influences team strategies in trades and free agency ^[1].

Impact on Young Core

washington also frees up more possessions, shots, decision-making, and on-ball opportunities for the young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Keyshawn George, and their incoming first-round draft pick. Without Poole, who generated most of Washington’s offense, the Wizards will shift to a more egalitarian style of play where the ball is shared with dispersed usage.

Pro Tip: Teams frequently enough use trades to create more opportunities for their younger players to develop and showcase their potential.

Trade Summary

Team	Incoming	Outgoing
washington Wizards	CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Future Second-Round Pick	Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, No. 40 Pick
New Orleans Pelicans	Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, No. 40 Pick	CJ McCollum, kelly Olynyk, Future Second-Round Pick

Long-Term Vision

The Wizards’ moves suggest a long-term rebuilding strategy focused on developing young talent and accumulating future assets. The Pelicans, conversely, are aiming to bolster their offense and provide more support for their star players.

What impact do you think this trade will have on the Wizards’ rebuilding process? How will Jordan Poole fit into the Pelicans’ offensive scheme?

NBA Trade Dynamics: A Past Perspective

NBA trades are a common mechanism for teams to adjust their rosters, acquire talent, and manage their salary cap. Trades can be driven by a variety of factors, including a team’s desire to contend for a championship, rebuild for the future, or simply improve their roster balance. The relationships between team executives often play a crucial role in facilitating trades, as seen in this deal between the Wizards and Pelicans.Teams must also consider the long-term financial implications of trades, as salary cap space and luxury tax considerations can significantly impact a team’s ability to compete.

Frequently Asked Questions About NBA trades

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June 30, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Updates on Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor June 13, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

Panthers Face Contract Complexities Amidst Cup Aspirations

Bennett’s Deal in Sight

The Florida Panthers, eyeing their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory, are grappling with significant contract decisions for key unrestricted free agents. Recent reports suggest negotiations are progressing smoothly with one player while facing challenges with another, influencing the team’s future.

According to a recent interview, insider David Pagnotta believes that negotiations are proceeding well with Sam Bennett. Reports from James Mirtle of The Athletic indicate few teams anticipate Bennett reaching free agency. Pagnotta mentioned discussions between Bennett and the Panthers for an eight-year deal, valued at approximately $64 million.

“Quote by Person Name about Bennett.”

—Person Name, Title

The value Bennett brings is largely attributed to his performance during the postseason and intangible qualities. Despite projections around the six-year, $40 million range, Bennett is a physical forward and a good fit for Florida’s scheme. Per the league, the NHL salary cap is anticipated to increase again in 2025–26, with an estimated cap ceiling of $92 million.

Ekblad’s Contract Stalemate

Conversely, negotiations aren’t going as well with defenseman Aaron Ekblad, as reported by Pagnotta. Despite Ekblad’s desire to remain, the Panthers are hesitant to meet his contract demands. The team is reportedly offering around $6 million, while Ekblad is seeking a comparable or higher salary than his current $7.5 million AAV.

Ekblad has faced numerous injuries throughout his career, playing a full season only three times. Offering a 20% pay cut as the salary cap rises presents a significant challenge. As a top-four defenseman, Ekblad could secure a higher salary on the open market.

June 13, 2025 0 comments