BRETT MARTEL Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) tries to drive past LSU guard Mikaylah Williams (12) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

Williams scores 20 as No. 12 LSU hands No. 2 Texas its first loss, 70-65

January 11, 2026

Mikaylah Williams scored 20 points, capped by her 3 as the shot clock expired with 1:20 to go in the game, and No. 12 LSU handed second-ranked Texas its first loss this season, 70-65. Madison Booker scored 24 points, 14 after committing her fourth foul just 11 seconds into the fourth quarter. Kyla Oldacre had 16 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Jordan Lee added 12 points for the Longhorns. Flau’jae Johnson, Milaysia Fulwiley, ZaKiyah Johnson and Jada Richard each scored 10 points for LSU, which led the entire second half and by as many as 13 points. Texas led briefly in the first half but never by more than four points.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) breaks free for a dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Redick: LeBron James exhibiting ‘a different kind of greatness’ with the Lakers this season

January 6, 2026

Lakers coach JJ Redick compares LeBron James at 41 years old to Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux at the end of his career. Redick says James doesn’t always have his best stuff, but usually has enough to win. James scored 30 points in a 111-103 victory in New Orleans on Tuesday night. It was James’ second 30-point game in his last three. James missed the first 14 games of this season because of sciatica and says his playing status on the second of back-to-back games should always be considered “to be determined.” But he says he also appreciates every chance to play now more than when he was younger and knew his career still had many years left.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks next to New Orleans Pelicans guard Micah Peavy (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

James and Doncic each score 30 to help the Lakers hold off the Pelicans 111-103

January 6, 2026

LeBron James scored 30 points, Luca Doncic capped his 30-point, 10-assist performance with a pair of off-balance, bail-out 3s as the shot clock wound down, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the reeling New Orleans Pelicans 111-103. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who won for the fourth time in their past five games while sending the Pelicans to their eighth straight loss. Trey Murphy scored a career-high 41, Zion Williamson scored 15 points and rookie Derik Queen had 10 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, which led by as many as nine points late in the third quarter. The Lakers opened the fourth quarter on an 18-4 run to take the lead for good.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) reacts after being fouled by New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Deni Avdija has 34 points and 11 assists in the Trail Blazers’ 122-109 win over the Pelicans

January 2, 2026

Deni Avdija had 34 points and 11 assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 122-09 on Friday night. Donovan Clingan had 11 points and 15 rebounds, Shaedon Sharpe scored 23 points and Caleb Love, who hit six 3-pointers, added 22 points for Portland, which took the lead for good in the second quarter en route to a third victory in four games. Zion Williamson scored 35 points for New Orleans, but needed more help to prevent the Pelicans from dropping their sixth straight loss. Tookie Jeremiah Fears scored 18 points. Jordan Poole and Karlo Matkovic each had 16 points and Kevon Looney grabbed 12 rebounds.

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) celebrates after the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia in New Orleans, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathew Hinton)

Ole Miss and breakthrough QB Chambliss advance to CFP Fiesta Bowl against Miami and blue chip Beck

January 2, 2026

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and his Rebels teammates have been saying for weeks that they have the chemistry, talent and confidence to carry on in the College Football Playoff without former coach Lane Kiffin. There’s been no evidence to the contrary since Kiffin left for LSU on November 30th. The Rebels have a January 8th date with Miami in the CFP semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl. The matchup features quarterbacks with contrasting backgrounds. Miami’s Carson Beck is a high-profile transfer from Georgia who was a blue-chip recruit. Chambliss played previously at Division II Ferris State and began this season as a backup.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) carries against Tennessee Titans cornerback Kaiir Elam (35) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Saints receiver Chris Olave expected to miss season finale at Atlanta after being hospitalized

January 1, 2026

New Orleans Saints leading receiver Chris Olave was hospitalized for treatment of a reported blood clot in his lung and won’t play in the club’s regular-season finale at Atlanta on Sunday. Coach Kellen Moore confirmed that Olave was ill after he missed both Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices. Olave has had the best season of his career. His 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns are all career highs. His success also has come one year after head injuries sidelined him for the last half of last season. Olave posted a photo of himself in the hospital on social media saying he was grateful to experience life’s twists and turns.

Mississippi head coach Pete Golding and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart shake hands and laugh at the end of a joint press conference for the upcoming Sugar Bowl and college football playoff (CFP) quarterfinal game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

A Georgia-Ole Miss rematch provides ample intrigue to their CFP quarterfinal clash at the Sugar Bowl

January 1, 2026

A Georgia-Ole Miss rematch provides plenty of story lines to their College Football Playoff quarterfinal clash at the Sugar Bowl. The No. 6 Rebels proved they could win as a favorite without ex-coach Lane Kiffin in the CFP’s first round, but the No. 3 Bulldogs were bound to provide a tougher test. Georgia was the only team this season to defeat Ole Miss. That Oct. 18 game in Athens. Georgia, was a thriller. The Rebels led after three quarters before the Bulldogs stormed back with 17 unanswered points for a 43-35 triumph. Now, Ole Miss will try to avenge that loss without Kiffin, who left for LSU on Nov. 30. Georgia lost last year’s Sugar Bowl to Notre Dame.

FILE - Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard, File)

No. 3 Georgia is eager to make better Sugar Bowl memories while No. 6 Ole Miss eyes payback

December 30, 2025

For the Georgia Bulldogs and coach Kirby Smart, last year’s Sugar Bowl brought waves of sadness that had more to do with life — and the loss of it — than football. Fate has the third-ranked Bulldogs back in the big Easy one year later to take on No. 6 Mississippi in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Smart says it’s hard not to think about the Bourbon Street attack that killed 14 and delayed last year’s Sugar Bowl, or his father’s death following that game. But he says his team is happy to be back. Mississippi’s only loss this season came at Georgia in October. The winner of the rematch advances to a CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) passes against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Saints’ Moore and Shough exhibiting coach-QB synergy during New Orleans’ winning streak

December 29, 2025

First-year head coach Kellen Moore and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough have the New Orleans Saints on their longest winning streak since Drew Brees was still playing under Sean Payton’s direction back in 2020. Four straight victories have given the Saints hope that Moore has the club trending in the right direction and that they won’t need to use a first-round draft choice on a QB. Shough’s last two games have been his best statistically. He eclipsed 300 yards passing in both. In Sunday’s 34-26 victory at Tennessee, Shough’s quarterback rating of 142.7 was the highest ever by a Saints rookie QB. However, none of New Orleans’ six victories this season have come against a team that currently has a winning record.

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) scores a touchdown against Tulane during the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/James Pugh)

Chambliss and No. 6 Ole Miss ace their test without Kiffin and beat No. 17 Tulane 41-10 in the CFP

December 20, 2025

Trinidad Chabliss and Mississippi have aced their first test without former coach Lane Kiffin. The sixth-ranked Rebels beat No. 17 Tulane 41-10 on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Chambliss passed for 282 yards and a touchdown and ran for two scores. Kewan Lacy also ran for a TD for Ole Miss. Recently promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding had a triumphant debut as Kiffin’s replacement, and Ole Miss moves on to face No. 2 Georgia in a CFP quarterfinal. The game was coach Jon Sumrall’s last with Tulane. He’s been hired as Florida’s coach.

Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) reacts after a touchdown against North Texas during the first half of the American Conference championship NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Tulane’s ‘Bayou Jew,’ Jake Retzlaff, humbled by his CFP spotlight after his difficult BYU departure

December 15, 2025

Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff recalls being “devastated” when it became clear last spring that he would be unable to play his final season of college football at BYU. The proudly Jewish athlete has landed on his feet at Tulane, where he’s helped lead the Green Wave to the College Football Playoff and enthralled Tulane’s large Jewish student population in the process. Tulane, seeded 11th, has gone 11-2 this season and will visit No. 6 seed Mississippi in a first-round CFP game on Saturday. Meanwhile, Retzlaff has been able to participate Jewish life on campus and meet prominent members of New Orleans’ Jewish community. A store near campus sells T-shirts referring to Retzlaff as the Bayou Jew and Shabbat Shotgun.

Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, right, reacts with Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) after winning the American Conference championship NCAA college football game against North Texas in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Tulane tops North Texas 34-21 in American Conference title game for a likely CFP bid

December 5, 2025

Jake Retzlaff rushed for two short touchdowns, Jamauri McClure rushed for 121 yards and a score, and Tulane defeated North Texas 34-21 in the American Conference championship game — a victory that likely secured a College Football Playoff bid. Chris Rogers returned an interception 35-yards for a touchdown for Tulane, which intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles in a triumphant performance that is expected to delay coach Jon Sumrall’s departure for the Florida job he accepted last Sunday. Sumrall has said if Tulane qualified for the 12-team CFP, he’d see that through. Eric Morris will soon be headed to Oklahoma State after coaching the Mean Green to its first 11-win regular season and a bowl bid.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) is unable to catch a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Coming through in the clutch remains an issue for the reeling Saints

December 1, 2025

The Saints found a new and unusual way to lose after a largely competitive showing at Miami. In the end, it was the latest example of New Orleans’ inability to come through in crunch time in what is now a double-digit-loss campaign. Down 16-0 at halftime, the Saints rallied in a 21-17 loss that wasn’t decided until they failed on a fourth-and-1 play in Miami territory in the final minute. The Saints also lost a significant player to an injury. Coach Kellen Moore says veteran safety Justin Reid’s knee injury could sideline him when the Saints play at Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Kiffin laments circumstances of his Ole Miss exit, but says he couldn’t pass up LSU

December 1, 2025

Lane Kiffin called his past six years at Ole Miss “the best six years” of his life. Then he explained why he felt compelled to leave Oxford, Mississippi, behind and take over an LSU football program that he’s always admired from afar. Kiffin says LSU is “different” and “the best job in football” because of its history, tradition, passion, great players from Louisiana,, and the environment in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. Kiffin was flown in on a private plane on Sunday night with LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry. Monday afternoon, he was speaking to a festive crowd of LSU dignitaries at Tiger Stadium, where massive video boards were lit up with his name and likeness.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Zion Williamson scores 14 in his return from injury in the Pelicans’ 125-118 loss to Denver

November 19, 2025

Zion Williamson returned to the New Orleans Pelicans’ lineup on Wednesday night, scoring 14 points in 125-118 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Williamson played 29 minutes after missing eight games with a strained left hamstring. The Pelicans won two games without him but have now lost seven straight to fall to 2-13 this season. Williamson, who also missed a game earlier this season with a foot injury, has played in six of the Pelicans’ first 15 games, averaging 21.3 points.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green reacts after a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Warriors’ Draymond Green warned by NBA after fan confrontation, AP Source says

November 18, 2025

Golden State forward Draymond Green received a warning from the NBA after going nearly chest-to-chest with a fan during the Warriors’ 124-106 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, a person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the NBA has not announced the warning. The fan was was standing and cheering after Draymond Green had been called for a shooting foul while guarding Pelicans forward Herb Jones during the game Sunday.

Warriors’ Draymond Green has another fan confrontation

November 16, 2025

Golden State forward Draymond Green went nearly chest-to-chest with a fan during the Warriors’ road game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The fan identified himself as Sam Green and was wearing a black polo with a Pelicans logo. He says he was taunting Draymond Green with chants of “Angel Reese,” because his NBA namesake was rebounding but not scoring. Draymond Green strode over to the fan late in the second quarter and stood inches from him as they spoke to one another. Game officials quickly pulled Draymond Green away while ushers gathered around and spoke with the fan, who was permitted to remain in his seat. Draymond Green has been fined previously for fan interaction.

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green, left, confers with guard Jeremiah Fears, center, as assistant coach James Borrego looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Pelicans fire coach Willie Green 12 games into his fifth season, name James Borrego interim coach

November 15, 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans have fired coach Willie Green on the heels of a 2-10 start to his fifth season in charge. Pelicans first-year basketball operations chief Joe Dumars named assistant James Borrego as interim coach for the Pelicans, who play at home on Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors. Green was hired to his first head coaching job in 2021 by previous Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin. Green has gone 150-190 in four-plus seasons. His teams made the playoffs twice, losing in the first round to Phoenix in 2022 and Oklahoma City in 2024. Borrego was formerly the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets for four seasons from 2018 to 2022.

LSU interim AD Verge Ausberry says the school’s athletic department ‘is not broken’

October 31, 2025

Newly named LSU interim athletic director Verge Ausberry says the athletic department is ‘not broken’ in the wake of his predecessor Scott Woodward’s abrupt departure this week. Woodward stepped down on Thursday night, four days after football coach Brian Kelly had been fired and one day after Landry asserted that Woodward would not select Kelly’s successor. LSU Board of Supervisors chairman Scott Ballard says Woodward’s decision to step down was a “mutual agreement” between him and the board. Ballard says self-generated athletic department funds or private donations will be used to a financial settlement with Woodward that is still being negotiated. Board member John Carmouche says Ausberry has “full authority” to lead the search for the next football coach.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly talks on the sideline in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

LSU fires coach Brian Kelly in the 4th season of his 10-year, $100 million deal, AP source says

October 26, 2025

LSU has fired coach Brian Kelly during the fourth season of a 10-year contract worth about $100 million. A person familiar with the situation confirmed Kelly’s departure to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Sunday night because the firing had not been announced. The move comes on the heels of Saturday night’s 49-25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium — a second straight loss, and third in four games for LSU. Kelly was hired away from Notre Dame following the 2021 season. He has gone 34-14 with the Tigers but LSU has not qualified for the College Football Playoff during his first three seasons and is virtually eliminated from contention this season.

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) carries for a touchdown against LSU defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Reed produces 4 TDs and No. 3 Texas A&M races away from No. 20 LSU, 49-25

October 25, 2025

Marcel Reed passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more scores, and No. 3 Texas A&M’s second-half dominance turned a slim halftime deficit into a 49-25 victory over 20th-ranked LSU. KC Conception caught one of Reed’s TD tosses and returned a third-quarter punt 79 yards for another score for the unbeaten Aggies, who snapped a six-game skid in LSU’s Tiger Stadium, winning there for the first time since 1994. At 8-0, A&M is now off to its best start since the 1992 Aggies went 12-0 in the regular season before losing to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. Reed passed for 202 yards and rushed for 108, highlighted by his 41-yard TD scramble. LSU has lost two straight.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) drops back in the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Saints’ Rattler aims to end personal and team skids against the Giants and debut-winning Dart

October 2, 2025

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler aims to achieve in his 11th career NFL start what Giants rookie Jaxson Dart did in his debut. Dart is 1-0 as a starter heading into the 1-3 Giants’ Week 5 visit to New Orleans. The Saints are winless through their first four games under rookie coach Kellen Moore and are on an eight-game skid dating to last season. Rattler started six games last season and is still looking for his first win in that role. He’ll try to make it happen against the last team to lose to the Saints when they met last Dec. 8. Meanwhile, Dart gets a chance to beat a team that passed on him in the NFL draft.

FILE - An aerial overall exterior general view of Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center with the New Orleans skyline in the background is seen after an NFL preseason football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Denver Broncos in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, file)

New Orleans to host the 2027-28 college football national championship, AP source says

September 29, 2025

A person familiar with the decision says New Orleans has been awarded the college football national championship game for the 2027 season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because a formal announcement involving Gov. Jeff Landry is not scheduled until Wednesday. The game will be held in the Superdome on Jan. 24, 2028. The last title game held in the dome was in January 2020 when LSU defeated Clemson. Miami is the host city for this season’s national title game. The College Football Playoff for the 2026 season will end in Las Vegas.

Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) evades a tackle attempt by LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (40) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Chambliss’ 385 scrimmage yards propels No. 13 Mississippi past No. 4 LSU, 24-19

September 27, 2025

Trinidad Chambliss passed for 314 yards and a touchdown and No. 13 Ole Miss defeated No. 4 LSU 24-19. Kewan Lacy ran for a 15-yard touchdown and former LSU running back Logan Diggs added a 6-yard scoring run for Ole Miss. which outgained the Tigers 480 yards to 254 while improving to 5-0. LSU played without top running back Caden Durham and gained just 57 yards on the ground. That placed added pressure on LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, who completed 21 of 34 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, but also was intercepted once as the Tigers fell to 4-1.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) carries against Florida Jaiden Braker in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

No. 3 LSU intercepts 5 of Florida QB DJ Lagway’s passes in the Tigers’ 20-10 victory

September 13, 2025

Garrett Nussmeier threw for 220 yards and a touchdown, Dashawn Spears returned one of his first two career interceptions 58 yards for a touchdown and No. 3 LSU beat Florida 20-10 on Saturday night. After the ejection of LSU preseason AP All-America linebacker Whit Weeks for a targeting penalty in the game’s opening minutes, the Tigers (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) intercepted five of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway’s passes and sacked him three times. Lagway’s career high in interceptions came in what was widely seen as a pivotal bounce-back game for the Gators (1-2, 0-1) and fourth-year coach Billy Napier after a surprising home loss to South Florida a week earlier.

Why some football coaches are ditching college jobs for the NFL

September 9, 2025

Recent changes in college football are prompting some long-time college coaches to more eagerly pursue NFL opportunities. One of them is Saints first-year defensive backs coach Terry Joseph, who says he loved working in college football for most of the past 19 years. But he left the Texas Longhorns because of how recruiting had changed since recent rule changes liberalizing player movement and payments. Joseph and other long-time college coaches say those changes have largely ended the days when lifelong relationships could be built out of years of mentoring and developing players. They say college coaches now constantly must monitor whether players they’d successfully recruited previously are looking to leave for better financial or playing-time opportunities.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (2) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Rattler rallies Saints to 17-all preseason tie with Jaguars as competition with Shough continues

August 17, 2025

Spencer Rattler connected with Dante Pettis for a 20-yard touchdown with 21 seconds left and scrambled for a 2-point conversion to help the New Orleans Saints salvage a 17-17 tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason game. Rattler passed for 199 yards with an interception after relieving Tyler Shough, who played the first half and threw for 66 yards without a turnover. He led the Saints to one field goal as he continues to battle with Rattler for the starting job. Starting QB Trevor Lawrence played two series for the Jaguars and threw a TD pass.

New Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a transfer from BYU, shows off the Star of David on his necklace after football practice at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Brett Martel)

Jake Retzlaff still loves BYU but expresses faith in his fresh start at Tulane

August 1, 2025

Jake Retzlaff says he still loves BYU but expressed faith in his decision to start fresh at Tulane. Retzlaff is trying to move past recent reputational harm in Utah, learn a new offense and outperform three other transfer QBs at Tulane. Retzlaff led BYU to an 11-2 record last season but recently withdrew while reportedly facing a suspension for violating the university’s honor code. He’d been named in a now-dismissed civil sexual assault lawsuit. Retzlaff declined to discuss the lawsuit or discipline he faced at BYU.

FILE - Milwaukee Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. (44) and Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) in action during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, Nov. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Pelicans trade McCollum and Olynyk to the Wizards for Poole and Bey, AP source says

June 24, 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to trade veteran guard CJ McCollum, center Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for guard Jordan Poole, wing Saddiq Bey and the 40th overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the trade hasn’t been announced. The Wizards will gain a ton of financial freedom in the deal, which they can use going forward to continue their rebuild. The Pelicans also are rebuilding under newly hired basketball operations chief Joe Dumars.

BRETT MARTEL Sports Writer.