5 Jordan Poole replacements that could be more impactful in 2024 playoffs

4. Royce O’Neale

Could the Warriors shift more to a 3-and-D option on the wing? O’Neale is 6’4, but he is no stranger to guarding some of the league’s best scorers. He spent five years playing a defense-first role in Utah before being traded to the Nets to handle those duties last season. O’Neale is a career 38.4 percent 3-point shooter that showcased some playmaking chops last season.

Jordan Poole averaged 20 points per game during the regular season. Nobody is making the case that O’Neale is a better player, but he might be a better fit as the Warriors look to win the title in 2024. Golden State was tenth out of 16 teams in the playoffs in 3-point percentage. The Dubs struggled to make shots and Poole’s 25.4 percent on nearly five attempts per game did not help.

Royce O’Neale gives Golden State a bit more lineup flexibility. He can switch onto big men and hold his own. The current Net could allow the Warriors to create a new version of their feared small-ball lineup with Draymond Green at the five. Curry, Thompson, Green, Wiggins, and O’Neale would be nearly impossible to defend as they would immediately play most traditional big men off the floor.

O’Neale is not the only current Brooklyn Net that the Golden State Warriors could target in a trade.