It didn’t need to be said, but The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said it — the Warriors shouldn’t trade Jordan Poole.
Poole, who is averaging 29.5 points per game through his first 2 playoff appearances, has been sensational the last few months. He’s one of the league’s top rising stars despite being left off the list of Most Improved Player finalists.
The Golden State Warriors have been two young stars explode onto the scene, and Bill Simmons says he couldn’t consider trading either.
The Warriors should be grateful for what Poole’s been able to do as their five-game win streak to end the season helped them keep the third seed in the Western Conference and avoid the Utah Jazz.
However, their former first-round has continued his excellent play and is looking like one of the best young prospects in the game.
“I would not trade Poole or Kuminga. I think they’re off the table if I’m the Warriors. You’re looking at improving your center spot and that’s it, I would not mess with the perimeter,” Simmons said on The Bill Simmons Podcast.
It feels obvious, but there are dangers looming that they did mention. Things may be out of Golden State’s control in the near future as their Big 3 plus Poole and Kuminga may start to cause some issues with the team’s cap space.
Poole could be looking at a nine-figure extension. He’s currently under contract until after next season, set to make almost $4 million. It’s a team option that the Warriors will undoubtedly pick up.
The same offseason Poole becomes a free agent so does All-Star starter Andrew Wiggins who has elevated his game this season as well. The offseason following that both Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will be up for new deals, and at 34, they may be looking one last big-time deal in the face.
While most of that is yet to develop and could easily change, the future is both bright and worrisome for Warriors fans. As Simmons notes, trading a player that averaged 26 points per game the last month of the season isn’t wise.
No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Kuminga has also far exceeded expectations and will be off the table. If the Warriors have their way, it should be those two captaining the long-term future of the franchise, both respectively 22 and 19.
Trading them just doesn’t make sense as Poole and Kuminga are both pieces that actually help the Warriors win now. Others like Moses Moody or James Wiseman could see some shopping, but that’s yet to be actually reported.