The Warriors, in unceremonious fashion, moved on from Jordan Poole. They shipped Poole, along with Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a couple far-off draft picks, to the Wizards for Chris Paul.
To trade a 24-year-old, 20-point-per-game scorer for a 38-year-old point guard who is not well-liked by most of the Warriors was a shock, even given the history between Poole and Draymond Green.
Besides those dynamics, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic thinks there were other factors that drove the Warriors to move Poole.
Kawakami joined Papa and Lund on Monday to discuss the trade and said that their lack of belief in Poole taking over as Stephen Curry’s successor, coupled with his contract, were major motivators. He also thinks the fact that they traded him is a strong indicator Green will return.
“That second [tax] apron next season when the new CBA [kicks in] is very punitive,” Kawakami said. “It limits what a team can do that high in the money. It takes away the mid level [exception]. They have the mid level this season and they want to get out of [the apron]. And they were looking at it and saying they could possibly do it by just letting Klay walk, and that is an option. Another option, I think the money they decided that they gave to Jordan Poole last year, which hasn’t even started yet, was just too much in their minds.”
Poole is set to begin a four-year, $128 million extension.
While Chris Paul’s $30.8 million salary this season is more than Poole’s $27.45 million salary this season, his $30 million in 2024-25 has no guarantees meaning the Warriors can cut him without repercussions.
Kawakami said that the Warriors weren’t solely looking for an expiring contract, though that was preferable. They wanted a better “fit,” which was more about IQ on the court than anything else.
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