Warriors: Jordan Poole as the permanent starting two makes most sense

Obviously, when Klay Thompson returns, it’s his spot. Until then, the Golden State Warriors should look towards Jordan Poole as the player that needs to step up. The five-time All-Star Thompson will likely be out till 2022.

For the last two seasons, the Warriors have been rotating starting shooting guards. It all started off with Klay Thompson’s injury during Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. The star guard tore his ACL following a contested dunk by then-Raptor Danny Green.

The Golden State Warriors will need to find a new starting shooting guard. This time around, they need to give the reigns to Jordan Poole.

He would inevitably be out the next season. That season, 2019-2020, Damion Lee and Glenn Robinson III shared the responsibility.

Last season, when healthy, it belonged to Kelly Oubre Jr. Thompson again missed last season after rehabbing his ACL and, in the process of getting back onto the court, he ruptured his Achilles. It’s been a brutal few seasons.

The Warriors now have three or four options.

Third-year guard Jordan Poole, who drew the start in the team’s first preseason game, is the favorite. Mychal Mulder, Damion Lee, and Moses Moody all would also make sense as each, obviously outside of the rookie, started at the two last season.

Poole makes the most sense though, and for starters, of the three players, he was the one that played best alongside two-time MVP Stephen Curry. He had the best net rating with the team’s undisputed player last season.

On top of that, Poole was the only one that didn’t regress from the season before. He went from averaging 8.8 points per game on under 35 percent from the field to 12 points per game on over 42 percent shooting.

Those improvements are notable.

Along with that, his playmaking is something the starting unit could use. Poole will likely get a quick breather and then also help out with the second unit, as he should be able to start the game and also help maintain any lead.

Lee and Mulder are both primarily shooters as well. With all three being undersized defenders, there isn’t a major difference there; however, that is where Moody, who stands 6-foot-5, could earn some minutes.

Ultimately, the Warriors need to look at Poole’s improvement, his playmaking, and his ability to play alongside Curry as the reasons why he makes the most sense to be the team’s starting shooting guard.