Golden State Warriors: Expectations for Each Young Bench Player

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 24: Alen Smailagic #6, Jordan Poole #3, and Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a photograph during a press conference on June 24, 2019 at Rakuten Performance Center in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 24: Alen Smailagic #6, Jordan Poole #3, and Eric Paschall #7 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a photograph during a press conference on June 24, 2019 at Rakuten Performance Center in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jordan Poole: Threes off the Bench

Jordan Poole brings a defensive game that will surely need to be worked on, but ultimately that wasn’t the reason he heard his name called on draft night. Poole was drafted for his scoring and his ability to thrive in the midrange game. For this coming season, a goal for him should be to thrive from a few feet farther back.

If Poole can become a reliable scorer (and specifically shooter) off the bench, that’s a promising sign for 2021 and beyond (when the Warriors will confidently be a contender once again). Lack of scoring off the bench is what plagued Golden State in the NBA Finals.

Poole isn’t expected to become the Sixth Man of the Year overnight, but if he can hover close to double digits off the bench, that’s a tremendous sign. Even better if he does so by way of the three-point shot.

Moving forward in his career, JP has a real chance to join the Dubs rotation as an important catalyst off the bench. His potential to be a pure scorer is exciting.