Monday was a big day to start a pivotal fortnight for the future of the Golden State Warriors. News emerged of Draymond Green’s decision to opt out of his player option and become an unrestricted free agent, while new General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. held his introductory press conference.
Dunleavy was asked a range of hard-hitting questions regarding the Warriors future, with the 42-year-old facing a tough initiation in his new role after the franchise’s disappointing second-round playoff exit this season.
There’s a misalignment in Mike Dunleavy Jr’s comments on Jordan Poole, and recent trade reports surrounding the Golden State Warriors’ interest in Chris Paul.
Outside of Green’s free agency, much speculation surrounds the future of youngsters Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga. Dunleavy was forthright in his response, particularly for Poole whom the Warriors signed to a major extension in October last year.
"“We love having those guys here, Jordan especially with his contract extension. We plan to have him here for four more years at least”, Dunleavy said."
https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/1670866084474531840
Unfortunately for the new GM, his assuredness on Poole’s future are misaligning with recent news from prominent reporters. Specifically, The Athletic’s Shams Charania who had the following to say after Sunday’s Bradley Beal trade between the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns.
"“The Wizards are gonna try to see if they can flip him (Chris Paul) to a third team. A couple teams to keep an eye on — the Clippers, the Warriors — those are two teams that did discuss potential deals with the Suns prior to this trade going down.”"
Any such Paul trade from a Warrior perspective would have to include Poole or Klay Thompson, and it’s very unlikely to be the latter. Does the idea of moving Poole for a 38-year-old point-guard sync with the idea of Golden State wanting the young guard around for four more years at least? Not particularly.
Perhaps Charania’s sources have simply got it wrong, or at the very least it’s an over-exaggeration of the Warriors’ interest in Paul. But as they say, when there’s smoke there’s fire, and there’s too much right now not to suggest that Dunleavy and Golden State’s plans for Poole could shift quickly if the right deal comes along.