Trae Young's trade to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert reshapes both rosters while the New Orleans Pelicans signal they’ll keep Zion Williamson and young core intact. Betting take: back the Wizards' team total and Young player props to climb, while Pelicans futures or player props for rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears could offer value amid a likely team under on total wins.
Trae Young Traded to Washington Wizards in Deadline-Setting Move
Trae Young was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards late Wednesday, with the Hawks receiving guards CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in return. The move landed while Young remained in street clothes recovering from a quad contusion, underscoring short-term availability questions even as the long-term ramifications reshape both teams’ backcourts.
Pelicans Commit to Core Despite Struggles
The New Orleans Pelicans, sitting at 8-31 and mired in a nine-game skid, appear intent on keeping their top players together through the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Team leadership has indicated Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears will remain with the organization rather than being shopped for immediate assets.
Coaching Shuffle and Team Form
New Orleans fired head coach Willie Green in November and installed James Borrego as interim coach. The roster has fallen back after a brief five-game win streak over the holidays, but front-office patience with the young core suggests a development-first approach in the near term.
Rookie Breakouts: Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears
Rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears have provided exciting production. Queen is averaging 12.9 points per game with multiple 20-point outings and several double-doubles, highlighted by a 33-10-10 triple-double earlier in the season. The 19-year-old Fears is averaging 14.2 points on 43.3% shooting, already posting several 20-point games. Their growth is a key reason the franchise appears reluctant to break up the group.
Zion Williamson: Health, Production and Trade Value
Zion Williamson, still 25, has played 13 straight games and started the last six, averaging 24.5 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 61.6% in that span. With a non-guaranteed contract beyond this season, Williamson has been viewed as a movable veteran in theory, but the current stance is that he will remain in New Orleans at least through the deadline.
Betting Implications and Market Watch
Trae Young's move to Washington should lift the Wizards' offensive ceiling; punters may see value in higher team totals and boosted player prop lines for Young (points, assists, combined stats). The Hawks acquiring McCollum and Kispert recalibrates Atlanta’s backcourt rhythm, which could tighten some Hawks-related props and spread lines.
For the Pelicans, the decision to retain the core dampens blockbuster trade speculation and shifts betting interest toward player props for Zion, Queen and Fears. Expect market opportunities on rookie scoring props and long-shot futures tied to development rather than immediate wins. Caution: Young’s recent quad contusion and the Pelicans’ coaching turbulence create short-term volatility; shop lines and consider injury news before wagering.
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