Why Chris Paul trade may be biggest mistake in Golden State Warriors’ history

Chris Paul will hold the Golden State Warriors back

As the season progressed, it became clear that the Warriors are aging. They were nearly run out of the gym in the first-round against the Sacramento Kings and it has been a struggle to keep the original trio on the floor over the last few seasons.

Chris Paul has struggled to stay healthy his entire career. He is now 38-years-old, significantly slower than he used to be, and already plays at a slower pace than going back to his days with the Los Angeles Clippers. None of that will change now that he’s with the Golden State Warriors.

Jordan Poole, the player Paul is replacing, was also the only real scoring threat off the bench last season. In games without Stephen Curry, the 24-year-old led the Warriors to 14-12, the only season in the former MVP’s career where the team had a winning record without him.

In those games, Poole averaged 26.1 points and five assists per game in those outings. Paul can’t replace that offensive production, even if he is the better playmaker. He also can’t play as many games as Poole who played all 82 games compared to Paul’s 59 last season.

As stated earlier, the newest guard for the Washington Wizards is only 24, 14 years younger than his replacement who is likely on one of his last NBA contracts.