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Golden State Warriors: This is the do-or-die season for Jordan Poole

By Nathan Beighle

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 03, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 03: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on February 03, 2020 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are going to be relying heavily on a shooting guard not named Klay Thompson until the three-time All-Star guard returns, giving Jordan Poole the opportunity to solidify his long-term role with the organization.

Thompson is currently set to return on Christmas Day, but there’s no denying that’s a very tentative schedule. He could easily be out until 2020, making it over 30 months since he’d been on the court with the Warriors.

With Klay Thompson out for the first few months of the new season, Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole will have a huge chance to prove his value.

Jordan Poole struggled as a rookie.

Like most score-first guards, acclimating to the league isn’t easy. Poole was tossed into a situation that was not ideal for development as the team had Stephen Curry and Thompson for a combined five games.

He still scored relatively well, averaging 8.8 points per game. The 6-foot-4 guard played much better after a stint with the team’s G-League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. That happened in his second season as well.

With Curry back in action, Poole was one of the few players that improved his numbers from the season before to last season. He upped his scoring to 12 points per game and more important topped 43 percent from the field.

He went from being a 28 percent three-point shooter to a 35 percent one. That’s a drastic increase, and if he can take another jump, Poole should be considered a long-term part of the franchise.

He won’t be shy of opportunity to start the season, which is why the Warriors will get to see how he can contribute and at what level. After a few stellar performances last season, the hope for Poole to become a top-tier playmaker should be alive.

The Warriors are going to contend for a title this season, especially if Thompson returns at a high level, and the early-season play from Poole could determine if he’s in the eight-man rotation later in the season. He’ll be fighting for minute with Damion Lee and Mychal Mulder as well.

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All signs point to him having a terrific season, and if he starts off strong, he should find himself in a good position to potentially sign a new contract or an extension during the following offseason.

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