Klay Thompson reached a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday that now has the veteran sharpshooter headed for the Miami Heat, but he's not the only Golden State Warriors champion who should be set free to join another team.
There's been no reports of the New Orleans Pelicans considering a buyout for Jordan Poole, yet there's enough similarities between he and Thompson's situations to suggest it's a worthwhile discussion.
Klay Thompson buyout should spark same outcome for Jordan Poole
While Poole is nearly a decade younger than Thompson, he's in a similar boat of clearly not being part of the Pelicans' next contending team. It would take a drastic turnaround for that to be the case, with Poole now on an expiring contract after his first year in New Orleans where he appeared in only 39 games and was out of the rotation for significant periods.
The biggest similarity between the two scenarios is that despite being on an expiring contract, it's going to be hard for the Pelicans to find a trade for the former Warrior guard. The Mavericks were adamant for weeks that they were determined to find a trade for Thompson, but eventually changed their stance and made Friday's decision after a deal wasn't forthcoming.
New Orleans are in the same situation with Poole. They likely would have traded the 27-year-old by now if they could, but there's been very little news since rumors of his availability before the February mid-season deadline.
Yet Poole's $34 million expiring deal is also why a buyout is highly unlikely. Thompson was on a $17.5 million expiring contract with the Mavericks and was willing to give back roughly $9.8 million, something Poole is unlikely to be open to as a much younger player.
Pelicans likely hoping for drastic Jordan Poole turnaround
New Orleans are far more likely to start the season with Poole and hope for a significant turnaround from last season, owing to his still relatively young age and more importantly a change in voice/leadership with Jahmahl Mosley replacing interim head coach James Borrego.
The Pelicans are in a fascinating situation and Poole is likely to remain in a bench role as they develop recent seventh overall pick Jeremiah Fears alongside the experienced Dejounte Murray. If something doesn't happen before opening night, don't be surprised if New Orleans look for a trade or legitimately consider a buyout before the mid-season deadline.
The Warriors seemingly weren't an option for Thompson as his buyout came in conjunction with a new deal at the Heat, but perhaps they'd have a greater chance of reuniting with Poole were he to become available and despite his infamous history with Draymond Green.
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