It appears the Warriors really wanted to get rid of Jordan Poole.
In a stunning offseason move, the Warriors traded Jordan Poole for Chris Paul after considering trade options with three other teams.
The Golden State Warriors made a bold decision to send Poole to the Washington Wizards for Paul, altering the landscape of the Western Conference.
This trade allowed the Warriors to acquire a veteran guard like Paul, who can provide reliable offensive production and fill the bench role previously occupied by Poole.
However, questions remain about the chronology of the trade decision.
According to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, the Warriors had already decided to part ways with Poole due to his underwhelming performance in the playoffs and contentious relationship with Draymond Green.
“One of the Warriors’ calls, I’m told, was to check with Toronto about a proposal centering on Poole for 25-year-old forward OG Anunoby. But the Raptors weren’t interested. According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Warriors also had talks with the Celtics and had interest from the Spurs, though it’s hard to come up with good trade matches for Poole on either team.”
Wanting to unload Poole and his expensive contract, the Warriors explored trade possibilities with the Raptors, Celtics, and Spurs before finalizing the deal with the Wizards.
A proposal involving Poole for OG Anunoby with the Raptors was rejected, and discussions with the Celtics and Spurs didn’t yield favorable trade options.
Considering these potential trade outcomes, the Warriors’ agreement with the Wizards appears more favorable in hindsight.
The trade allows the Warriors to shed Poole’s undesirable contract and create financial flexibility for future extensions, potentially including one for Klay Thompson and a multi-year deal for Green. Paul’s one-year, $30.8 million contract also provides the Warriors with some breathing room. Despite Poole being removed from the core group, the move benefits him as he could potentially receive more playing time with the Wizards.
The Warriors’ exploration of other trade options before settling on Paul showcases their business acumen and desire to make the most suitable choice. Ultimately, this trade represents a shrewd move aimed at bolstering the Warriors’ chances of winning in the final years of the Curry-Thompson-Green dynasty.
For all the latest breaking in sports entertainment news, be sure to follow TMSPN.com on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
