The Golden State Warriors had somewhat of a busy offseason last year, as they made it a point to sign one of their star young players to a contract extension. This is a franchise that had been developing Jordan Poole for quite some time, having drafted him with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 draft. From there he had a poor rookie season, spet time in the G-league, but has then developed into the player he we know today.
Well, not on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, nor on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Pushed back to a sixth man role with the return of Stephen Curry, simply put Poole hasn’t been good.
Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole has developed into one of the best young scorers in the league, but his inconsistencies are becoming an issue for the franchise.
Poole had a huge surge last season from his 12 points per game in his second year, to 18 points per game in 2021-22. The fourth-year guard is now averaging around 20 points per game this season, so it’s safe to say there’s an element of improvement.
Poole’s rapid improvement from year two to year three gave the Warriors the confidence to give him a new deal, an extension off his rookie contract a season before he’d otherwise become a restricted free agent. On October 15, 2022, he signed a four-year, $128 million contract extension.
At the time, it seemed a little risky. Poole’s had an up and down season — plenty of good and some bad. Just when it seemed like the contract started to look more like the right move, his play since the All-Star break, particularly in the last two games, may have fans re-thinking.
Jordan Poole since the All-Star Break:
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) March 8, 2023
33.3% from the field. 25.4% from 3.
ZERO games shooting 50% from the field.
ZERO games shooting 50% from 3.
Need him to bounce back HEAVY for us to do well this home stretch. pic.twitter.com/hqV1gNhoAf
In Curry’s first game back against the Lakers, Poole still played 28 minutes but finished with just 10 points. In Oklahoma City on Tuesday, in a second-straight loss for the Warriors, Poole finished with just 11 points in 32 minutes coming off the bench again.
The Warriors need more out of Poole — going scoreless in two-straight second halves is inexcusable for a player who’s seen as a scorer first and foremost. Curry finished with a 40-piece in just his second game back, but he needed help from Poole and a bench unit who combined for only 26 points.
Right now, Golden State simply need Poole to respond and get back on track. Yet if this sort of stretch drags onto periods of next season, the situation will only intensify further given the contract he’ll be on.