At 29-7, the Warriors have the best record in the NBA, a half-game ahead of the Suns. One key to the team’s success this season has been the maturation and development of third-year guard Jordan Poole, who’s being groomed to become Golden State’s new sixth man, as Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic detail.
Poole’s situation on the club is unique, in that he’s the only young player to have a consistent rotational role. He describes the dynamic as being akin to a middle-child.
“The dynamic is what you see,” Poole said. “I’m not the youngest. I’ve been around for a little bit, but I’m kind of like the only one in the middle of the pack. The older bros have been through it. Sometimes we’re gonna throw you with the young guys, sometimes you can come with us. Essentially, it’s the middle-child treatment.”
Slater and Thompson write that Poole is known for having an excellent work ethic; the Warriors have data showing he’s in the gym more than any player on the team. Veteran Andre Iguodala, the team’s former sixth man, has taken Poole under his wing. As a third-year former first-round pick (28th overall in the 2019 draft), Poole is eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer.
“The new sixth man is getting $20 million a year,” Iguodala said. “That’s the bottom offer for a guy like that, the Tyler Herros and Jordan Pooles. You got those few guys who are starters but for teams they are on, they’re sixth men. You don’t have a problem with going above and beyond taking care of them because you know they’ll be a staple player for your franchise.”
In 30 games (28 starts) this season, Poole is averaging 18.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists in 30.1 minutes per contest. He also sports a .454/.348/.887 shooting line, good for a 59.3 true shooting percentage.
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- ESPN’s Baxter Holmes wrote an in-depth story detailing how former No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has been a “perfect fit” with Golden State, examining many aspects of the forward and his role within the team.
- Head coach Steve Kerr says Klay Thompson will be on a minutes restriction when he makes his long-awaited return (possibly Sunday) and will probably rest one of the two games in back-to-back sets, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic (via Twitter).
- The Warriors have the NBA’s highest payroll, but a huge part of their success thus far is owed to the contributions of lesser-paid players, John Hollinger of The Athletic writes. Hollinger notes that Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Poole, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Nemanja Bjelica, Damion Lee, and Iguodala have all been impactful, and the eight players earn a combined $17.6MM — about the market value of a decent starter. Of the eight, only Poole is under contract through next season — the other seven will be free agents this summer (JTA is restricted, the rest are unrestricted).
Poole is having a nice year. Warriors system fits him well. Warriors have some nice young talent. Nobody talks about that.
He is just now coming around with his improved shooting percentages. They’re acceptable now and actually pretty decent. His first couple years he played the same way but he was throwing up bricks. I guess the time in the G League gave him confidence and now he’s shooting a lot better for the most part. The guy has unlimited range and fantastic handles and quickness to get to the hole.
Went to my first game at the Chase Center and watched my first bball game in SF/OAK since the Rick Barry days.If this team rebounds and plays D.They might be the favorites come playoff time.Curry couldn’t hit a basket all nite and they still won very comfortable.The place is fabulous and the talent is there again and it’s deep except for the bigs we’re they are obviously thin.When I was sitting there my mind wandered what if GS pkgs their 2 number 1’s this yr and Poole for Sabonis or Turner.GS is very good,and if Curry is hitting his shots,they might be the best version of themselves in awhile.
I don’t understand your trade. Trading away Steph Curry for Sabonis is going to help the Warriors. I would love to have Sabonis in the Warriors rotation.
What? Why? How? Steph is the heart and soul of the Warriors. Remember where that team was when he was out, versus where they were when he came back? I don’t think Sabonis makes up for it
That’s my point. Indy is going to want a great player if the trade Sabonis. They will not want draft picks. So, who do you trade for Sabonis?
Lol. You trade Steph for anyone not named Giannis, Luka, Booker, or Ja Morant. And I’m not even saying those guys are better than Steph.
Not even Dame, Harden, KD, LeBron, LaMelo, AD, Kawhi, PG-13, and surely not for Sabonis/Turner. Maybe if Indiana offered Brogdon, Duarte, AND Sabonis for Steph—we’d at least start a conversation but it’s still a long shot. Plus, Steph has a full no trade clause. He’s a Dub until he’s like 37/38 years old.
Although if Cleveland called with a Mobley deal… Evan Mobley is the only guy I see right now that looks like he can be a game breaker/Giannis type within the next 2-5 years. But why would anyone with a young sure thing trade for a 33yo win-now player? And if you trade one of Steph/Klay/Dray, you’re bound to have issues with the ones that weren’t traded. You’re in a position where you have 3 guys that formed the best team in the league in their prime, and have kept your team competitive when healthy, and you have the chance to make them lifers, all of whom appear to be Hall of Fame locks.
I think Lacob would prefer if GSW is the only team on those HoF plaques.
Something about “if it ain’t broke, don’t trade your frickin franchise stars for some guys that have never had any playoff success”, right?
The Warriors are the number one defensive team in the NBA as of last week. Haven’t seen the latest numbers but if they’ve fallen I’m sure they’re still in the top five. No problem on defense.
Future looks good.Nice mixture of vets and very athletic youth 4 sure.
You sound like a Russian/Siberian troll. I don’t understand your belief system. The Warriors have a top 5 defense, but you think the Warriors should trade away those players.
Yes Lumber and lightning I agree. I didn’t like the plan in the offseason to keep the young guys, but I’m sure it will work out for the best. Signing the three veterans to minimum contract as helped support the Stars so I guess trading the three young guys wasn’t necessary. Who knew you could get those Three Vets on minimum contracts?
6th man ? But he’s started 28/30 games he’s a starter player starter minutes
Klay Thompson will be inserted into the starting lineup immediately upon his return. You can see in the last couple games they’ve allowed Jordan Poole to adjust to the sixth-man role already by starting Gary Payton.
Pretty incredible what the Warriors have done. A few down years with injuries turned into high upside prospects. Guys like Poole have developed, Wigs has improved and they still have their core guys from the dynasty.
They are going to be the new spurs and may end up with more rings. Bravo to the whole organization.
The intriguing question to me is if they move some young guys for someone that can help them win now.
Fascinating indeed –
They essentially have to turn Wiggins contract into a longer high paying contract (Star) or lose the slot. They could wait till the offseason or….go for the kill shot right now……
Drama aside; I’d fear for my life as a Western Conf fan of the Lakers if they slid in and nabbed Mr. Benjamin David Simmons from Philly
The mentals would have to check out and both sides would have to meet but that deal could be one of the biggest deals this whole century Imo as far as future impact.
Bens always been a great fit for GSW Imo and now they have the assets in spades and the price is probably a whole lot less.
It would be a ballsy trade by GSW, and certainly not one they absolutely need, but there’s huge upside there IMO for may years if Bens committed
You do realize that Bens hasn’t played in a couple of years. Realistically, getting him healthy and acclimated to the Warriors would make him unavailable until the 23/24 season. So, give me a reason why the Warriors would want to trade for him.
Well… one reason… ben simmons is young and the franchise would be preparing for the next leg of the dynasty.
You are also presuming he can’t make the transition quickly enough, no need to be that pessimistic, he is a pro and has a similar profile as Draymond, so should be able to slot in seemlessly.
Also, no gaurantees Klay can get back to a top level shape… could have two guys on track and hopefully one or both a ready by the playoffs..
That said, I don’t think PHI would make any reasonable trade, though, as this would make GSW measurably better and would make PHI worse. For no other reason, the FO can’t afford to lose face with ben simmons winning a title elsewhere.
So, who would you give up to get Ben Simmons.
Since he has not shown an interest in playing, it is highly unlikely that he will be NBA ready for the playoffs.
Look at how long it took Wiggins to get comfortable in the Warriors system and succeed. A season and a half is being optimistic.
Oh my gawd. The Warriors are struggling. They won’t make the playoffs. They need to make a huge trade, or blow it all up. They are so desperate.
It will be very interesting to see what Klay looks like when he returns. Draymond resurrecting, Poole making a leap, Wiggins with a career year—if Klay can be somewhere close to what he was pre-injury this team probably has enough to win it all this year, no moves necessary.
Having said that, I would think the FO is still glancing cross conference at the vague prospect of healthy Big 3 in Brooklyn (and to a lesser extent Milwaukee). I have a feeling that push come to shove Irving will get his jabs if it means making a serious run at another ring.
Your post would be interesting if you understood that the Warriors don’t play in the same Conference.
Giants74 you do realize that in the finals the Western Conference Champion plays the Eastern Conference champion?
You’re on a roll today.., six different attacks on six different guys posting? Take it easy bro, we’re all just fans talking hoops.
Let’s hope Kyrie has the courage of his convictions & doesn’t take the jab just to win a ring, right?
I have no doubt by now that the man has strong principles.
BTW I am not advocating no vax, just saying that it would be the saddest reason ever to get the jab just for a ring, specially as he already has one, right?
There are a few reasons to take it & countless not to take it… but for a ring… seriously???
Wouldn’t just be for a ring – he also has a looming (potentially max) extension he might eventually be concerned about.
But Brooklyn making a deep run (and Kyrie contributing to it) may be highly correlated with Kyrie getting that extension.
Curry has looked very off the last 2 weeks. Kerr might should rest him soon on this pace of how terrible he has been playing.
Not a bad idea, at this point we are just looking at being healthy by the checkpoints and the next one is Feb 16
It is highly doubtful that the Warriors will waive Curry on Feb 15th.
It is kind of to be expected. He can’t be perfect every game.
I read that he’s playing 34. something minutes per game, his highest since 2015 when he was 25 years old, or something like that? That might take its toll later and in the playoffs? When your legs go your shot goes. Maybe give him a week off for something?
I’ve watched a few GSW games and not terribly impressed with Poole. It would be another atrocious contract if they gave him $20Mm/yr. Otto Porter has been the revelation on this team. He knows his role, looks hungry and has finally become that x factor after lost years with Bulls & Wizards. Rich gets richer unless they overpaid on the Poole.
I hear you on Jordan Poole. But his skill level is twice that of Otto Porter. Porter can shoot the three a little bit and he’s decent on defense but he’ll get hurt and lose two months at the flip of a hat.
This is basically a contract year for Porter so he’ll bite the bullet and play through the Little Nicks that caused him to sit out in years past. He’s not really a creator and doesn’t rebound much for 6-8.
Jordan Poole on the other hand can handle the ball, start the offense, dribble drive for layups, shoot from distance, create for others, and is a very valuable piece. But you’re right about the contract thing. Do you give Jordan Poole big dollars to hang around and shoot 34% from three? Great question.
I’m not suggesting that GSW should extend Porter. Amazed how he and Bjelica have resurrected from the dead only from getting on the Curry MVP express train. A player like Poole are really a dime a dozen and certainly not worth 20% of your cap.
What happened to our friend Marty McRae?
Who cares. He hated everything about the Warriors. He was totally clueless about the NBA.