Ranking Golden State Warriors from the 2022-23 season – Jordan Poole
With the 2022-23 season having come to an end, we look back and review every player that took to the floor for the Golden State Warriors. Players are ranked on performance, with some of that based on preseason expectations.
Jordan Poole’s season was on the back foot even before it begun — the victim of a king hit in training camp from Golden State Warriors’ teammate Draymond Green. By the end of it, many were and are questioning his future at the franchise despite holding a new four-year, $123 million guaranteed contract.
For all the craziness of the opening, and the disappointment of the conclusion, it’s easy to forget that Poole produced a lot of good throughout the season. The dynamic scoring and improved playmaking was prevalent, but too often it was mixed with inefficiency and sloppy turnovers.
There’s now a major question mark on Jordan Poole’s future after the trajectory took a downward turn during his fourth year at the Golden State Warriors.
Having started 51 of 76 regular season games in 2021-22, Poole was set to run the second-unit as one of the favorite’s for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. The potential of a pick-and-roll partnership with James Wiseman gave fans genuine excitement, though it quickly fizzled out into a major problem.
Poole began the season with just 12 points on 4-for-15 shooting against the Los Angeles Lakers, and scored 18 or more points just once in the opening five games. Things took a slight uptick when he had 24 and 30-point outings in a back-to-back against Charlotte and Detroit, though he had 20+ points just once in the following six games.
The 23-year-old’s inconsistency was evident from early in the season, and it was reflected in the stark contrast between his numbers as a starter and coming off the bench. He found a rhythm in December when he was thrust into the starting point-guard spot after an injury to Stephen Curry, averaging a very healthy 26.8 points on 45.2% from the field. That included a career-high 43 points as he led an undermanned Warriors to a big win in Toronto on December 18.
His number remained similar in January, but his often errant shot selection and decision-making was a question mark again in February where he shot 41.2% from the floor and committed nearly three turnovers per game.
Poole’s March started strongly with 34 points despite a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, though he failed to score more than 22 points in each of his next 11 games. He finished the month strongly with 108 points in his last four games, including notching a double-digit positive plus/minus in three of those.
Unfortunately that form failed to translate into April where Poole’s playoff struggles soon began against the Sacramento Kings. By the end of the second-round against the Los Angeles Lakers, he was near unplayable as his poor shooting, unreliable playmaking, and non-existent defense became too much for Steve Kerr.
After averaging 30 minutes and over 20 points during the regular season, Poole played less than 22 minutes during the playoffs. He averaged 10.3 points on an horrific 34.1% shooting from the floor and 25.4% from three-point range.
Despite the disastrous postseason form that will be fresh in the minds of everyone, Poole should be commended for much of his play during the regular season. He was once again one of the Warriors’ key offensive weapons, and was crucial in the franchise holding its head above water with a 14-12 record in Curry’s absences.
Next. Timberwolves’ All-Star on brink of trade – Could Golden State Warriors get involved?. dark
Still, Poole’s future is now in the spotlight following the playoffs and his impending new contract. While the Warriors aren’t yet shopping the enigmatic guard, best believe they’ll listen closely to potential trade offers.