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“I might trade him”: Gilbert Arenas rips inconsistent Golden State Warriors’ guard

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 07: Jordan Poole #3 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors high-five after Poole scored and a time out was called by the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 07, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 07: Jordan Poole #3 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors high-five after Poole scored and a time out was called by the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 07, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Jordan Poole’s horrific form during this year’s postseason has been a major talking point not only for Golden State Warriors’ fans, but others around the league quick to note the 23-year-old’s impending contract extension.

The Warriors signed Poole to a four-year, $128 million contract during training camp, but his play this season hasn’t inspired much confidence of that turning into anything close to a team-friendly deal. That’s only exacerbated in the playoffs thus far with Poole’s chaotic offense and non-existent defense leading to a barrage of criticism.

Former Golden State Warriors’ guard Gilbert Arenas hasn’t held back in his assessment of Jordan Poole, stating that he’d think about trading the 23-year-old.

Gilbert Arenas, a former Warrior who was drafted to the franchise in 2001, was the latest to give a scathing summary of Poole during his livestream of Golden State’s horror Game 3 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.

"“Watching Poole right now, I might trade him…If I can package him and get someone I can rely on, I’m going to try it. He’s not Steph. He’s not a replacement…He’s supposed to be the best player on the court, right, and he kind of looks like the worst player. He’s the highest paid on this court, and he looks like the worst player.”"

Poole had five points, four turnovers and shot just 2-for-9 from the floor in Game 3, his second-straight game with less than ten points. In fact, the fourth-year guard has now scored eight or less points in half (five) of the Warriors’ games this postseason. That’s a far cry from last year’s playoffs where he had just two games with eight or less points across Golden State’s successful 22-game campaign.

Arenas’ comments are fair and justified, with Poole’s inconsistency damaging the Warriors’ chances of back-to-back titles. The best and worst of Poole’s game has been evident all season, but right now Golden State are getting far more of the bad and ugly than they are the good.

Despite the unsteady and variable nature of his regular season, Poole still averaged a career-high 20.4 points having played all 82 games. In ten games during the playoffs, he’s hit the 20-point mark just twice, and hasn’t gone above a 22-point outing in Game 4 against the Sacramento Kings.

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Even if the contract was given with the future well and truly in mind, the Warriors need him to deliver in the present while his team remains in contention. Game 4 against the Lakers is the do-or-die time for that to happen, otherwise Poole’s future may enter the spotlight further come the offseason.

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