The Golden State Warriors should want to enhance their roster this offseason. Doing that is easier said than done. There may be no other way to get that done than to trade their young, high-ceiling players.
Former first-round pick Jordan Poole may be a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to crafting a trade that could intrigue a franchise to part ways with a high-profile player.
The Golden State Warriors 2019 first-round pick, Jordan Poole, may play a pivotal part in any potential blockbuster trade.
Toronto’s Pascal Siakam and Indiana’s Myles Turner are both options for Golden State, and they make sense as both could space the floor much better than former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman.
However, they’d both also command lofty returns as well. While most trades suggest Wiseman as the centerpiece, many picks, and Jordan Poole could get the job done, especially with how Poole played the last couple of months.
Unlike most on the Warriors roster, Poole’s number increased following his rookie season. The Dubs’ 15-win season allowed many players like Eric Paschall and Damion Lee to step up in big ways.
It was Poole that continued to produce though.
This past season, Poole averaged 12 points per game, up from 8.8 the season before. His increased efficiency was the real notable improvement though. He shot over 43 percent from the field, not even hitting 34 percent as a rookie.
After his G-League stint, Poole averaged 14.7 points per game. He was a force for Golden State. He even had a 38-point onslaught towards the end of the season. His decision-making was drastically improved.
Combine sharp decisions with his shiftiness and skill set, and it was clear that Poole has the tools to become an elite scorer. If he can continue that trend, Poole could become valuable in trades, especially as he’s still just 22.
Poole could become a terrific option off the bench, and he’s set to lead the second unit this coming season. With the Warriors likely wanting to keep Wiseman on their roster, trading Poole makes sense, and he may have more value than most assume.
Offseason trades, with the draft just weeks away, could start to become more real. The Warriors are among the teams that should be active, and there’s no reason to believe Poole wouldn’t be on the table in any potential deal.
Given what we’ve seen, it wouldn’t be shocking if he’s a breaking point for both parties as he’s clearly only getting better.