The Warriors will either have to reach a rookie scale extension with Jordan Poole by October 17 or deal with him as a restricted free agent next summer. Either way, new contracts around the league are already setting his market value, writes Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Anfernee Simons and Jalen Brunson, two guards with credentials similar to Poole, signed new free agent deals in excess of $100MM this summer. On Monday, RJ Barrett, who was part of Poole’s draft class, reached an extension agreement with the Knicks that could pay him up to $120MM over the next four years.
While those three players are accomplished, none has a playoff resume that can compare to Poole’s. At age 22, he was Golden State’s second-best offensive player on the way to an NBA title. He also showed that he can be a primary scorer if needed, averaging 26.0 points over 13 games late in the regular season while Stephen Curry was sidelined by a foot injury.
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Moses Moody saw limited playing time as a rookie, but he projects to have a much bigger role during the upcoming season, according to C.J. Holmes of The San Francisco Chronicle. Moody is expected to take over some of the minutes that formerly belonged to Gary Payton II, who signed with the Trail Blazers in July. “I’m telling you, he’s going to fill the stat sheet up,” an unidentified staffer said of Moody. “He’s just going to continue to get better and make plays.”
- The Warriors believe free agent addition Donte DiVincenzo‘s intelligence and toughness make him a perfect fit for their system, Holmes adds in the same piece. The coaching staff and front office have been impressed with DiVincenzo this summer, even though they’ve only seen him in individual workouts.
- Curry returned Wednesday to Davidson College, where he was inducted into the school’s hall of fame, had his number retired and received his diploma, per Kendra Andrews of ESPN. “This is an absolutely amazing day and an amazing moment for myself and my family,” said Curry, who completed his degree in May.
The correct thing is to let Poole become a restricted free agent and see what the market will bear.
His comparables have set a high bar for all those to follow.
No reason to pay up big until you have too will become the rule of the land in the NBA.
That’s generally true but the Warriors are in a tight spot. If they can sneak in the next month and get him for a little less than the going rate for the sake of some security on his end, he may go for it and the Warriors would benefit.
If Poole reaches restricted free agency next summer there’s going to be a team with stars in its eyes ready to Ink big money and have him run the show. Not that they would be wrong but it’s a massive gamble by The Warriors.
I’m sure they’re not but imagine trading Poole at the deadline because you know he’ll be offered ridiculous money next summer that you won’t match.., and they could get a nice young big man out of it? Very far-fetched but I wonder if the Warriors think about it?
Exactly zero reason to act now!
hknova, then he gets a big deal somewhere else next summer, as I mentioned above, and the Warriors have nothing to show for it… unless of course you’re committed now to the fact he’s going to get a massive write-up and you’re going to match it.
Keep in the back of your mind that Poole is limited defensively and not a pure point guard with tremendous vision and passing. Another team in need of a guard will pay even though he lacks those things, but remember on the Warriors He’s the perfect Sixth Man. Not quite as easy a decision as you suggest.
I like the idea of RJ Barrett bonus contract
Something like this
Defensive Team $20 million
All star $20m
Championship $20m
Sucks when bad teams use big contracts for guys that haven’t accomplished all that much, maybe Bruson is different. But he will get paid
GSW has rewarded its players. They will get Poole. He is not getting the Max.
He could get the max somewhere else. There’s a bunch of teams I could picture him going to for big money. A lead guard who’s explosive and dynamic? Are you kidding me, they’re salivating.
BUT he is not a foundational, next 5 years guy, with the Warriors at big money. He’s too flashy and almost goes Rogue at times and that’s risky for a championship team to lean on. He’s highly skilled but also highly volatile with his play. Steady character, volatile results on the floor, if you know what I mean. Probably why the guard in the second round from the small school is such a huge acquisition. Could be Jordan Poole in the making and a reset.
Jordan Poole, will force the Warriors to trade Klay whose salary is $40 + Million.
The question is who would take Wiggins , Klay and Draymond.
Would Pacers trade Collins + Capela for Klay + Wiseman This trade saves Warriors $10,Million
Than trading Wiggins for Simmons. .
Than the trade of Draymond for Burks. This trade saves the Warriors $15 million for a total of $25 Million for 2022/23.
As you can see this is a very convoluted scenario. Three players who earn $100 Million ultimately must be moved to keep Poole.
Wiseman must be moved! So that totals $110 Million.
My scenario allows for achieving the same results for a $25 Million savings this year and a $35 Million savings next year – which can be utilized to pay the 4/$100 Million contract in 2023/24 season.
Curry, Poole, Simmons, Collins, Capella
Donte, Burks, Moody, Kuminga, Looney
Rollins, Baldwin, JMichael, Iggy
dude what
AsfaninLexington, not so fast. This Poole dilemma is definitely putting the Warriors in a tight spot. You’re trying to sign him now for a little less BUT while doing so, is he really worth a truckload of money? Sure he’s explosive and dynamic but his defense Lacks as does his pure point guard skills. He’s a sixth man ( for the warriors, probably a starting guard on many of the other teams.)
Also, why the harsh words for a fellow man, fellow basketball fan like Jensan, who’s just giving his opinion. Right or wrong doesn’t deserve getting vilified by another fan. My goodness.
GSW will do what’s best for the team. Hopefully he’s willing to take a less than market extension to remain a Warrior (along the lines of what Brunson signed for).
Clearly they can’t let him walk as a UFA.
Exactly, OK2.
I think that’s the hope…, but part of me says that Brunson money is a little too steep for a one-dimensional yet highly skilled back court player. The guy is super creative, can shoot from anywhere, and is a perfect sixth man.
But you can’t have six guys making the max money. The hope is probably that they can find another young guy who can do some of what Poole does. Huge expectations for Moses booty and Jonathan kaminga to do things on the floor so if and when Poole leaves it won’t be felt as much.
Also, Just look how the Warriors signed Dante Divincenzo for only 5 million or so. Much better than Poole’s 25 million to come. Warriors definitely have their hands full with this problem.
I think you underrate a 23 year old player by calling him one-dimensional. He’s improving every season, including on defense, and is arguably better than Brunson and Simons IMO.
I think GSW will try to sign him and let Wiggins walk if it’s a choice of one over the other, since they believe Kuminga can get to Wiggins’ level.
I love the look of GS young players, with Wiseman, Kumminga, Poole and Moody they can essentially future proof the age of Curry, Klay and Draymond, And looming FA of Wiggins. I’m not saying they’ll all be superstars but they’re all proving they can be good players in the league and to have 4 with that much potential, while also having their superstars is extremely lucky.
Wiggins is nowhere near as important as nba twitter thinks he is, and Baldwin was drafted to replace him. GSW will either trade or let Wiggs walk, and sign Poole and keep the big 8 together.
Dude Wiggin is the reason they won the finials??
He was a two way beast. And while Steph was tripled and Klay was off his game Wiggins and Poole picked up the slack. I’ll agree he’s no superstar but last year without him, they don’t even make it to the finals let alone win. Give the kid some respect for last year. I agree he’ll be getting nothing from GS next year, but I think they’ll keep him for one more run then let him walk.
And I like Baldwin, but Kumminga will be Wiggins replacement. I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts to drift into the starting line up this year.
JW91, spot on.
@jw91 You should ignore A’sfaninUK. There is more intelligent life in a rock. He thinks the Warriors have 12 guards and 1 center under contract. A simple look at the Warriors website shows 3 centers, 7 forwards. It is pretty simple math. 5 guards.
Why do you comment when you clearly never watch the games?
In a weird way, Klay’s injuries where fortunate for the Warriors. They wouldn’t have been able to draft those guys. Bob Myers seized on the opportunity. Bob Myers once said he might have to trade Steph Curry…I don’t think that will happen now…And, Klay is forbidden from injuring himself again.
It was a double edge sword really, if Steph and Klay hadn’t got injured, coupled with the wolves pick they wouldn’t have Wiseman, moody or Kumminga and Poole wouldn’t have had the chance to play and develop(like Maxey at 76ers). But if they hadn’t got injured they’d have been favourites to win in 20 and probably 21. But if I was a GS fan(which I am far from!) I’d feel very lucky for what they have going forward. I can’t remember a championship team have so many high ceiling kids in their roster. It’s like they’re playing 2K!
I think what some of this type of thing tells me is that Draymond Green is probably going to be gone after this coming season. He’ll leave and get a nice big contract with the Pistons or somewhere, maybe the Lakers, and he’ll try and help them move up from where they are.
I say green is the one to go and not Klay because even though he’s the second most important player on that team, 3 years from now he won’t be the same guy. Defensive ability is something that slips as we get older and can’t move our feet as well laterally. (Just ask the guys I run with!!)
But I tell you what.., Klay Thompson at 6’7 will be shooting jumpers until he’s 40 (just ask the guys I roll with !! Lol.)
Warriors have to decide between Poole and Dray. They don’t get both. Do you pick the future or the run back until Steph is done? Hard choice
Draymond’s one major skill will slip as he gets older. He’ll be the one they let slip away.
I think that’s ultimately the right move but once that core is broken up the entire franchise enters a new era, which is a scary time for any team
Steph disagrees, so I guess we’ll see.
I disagree with you about Dray’s major skill. He recognized earlier on that he could never be a better shooter than Klay, or Steph. So, he perfected getting the ball to them. Looney said he learned that from Dray. And look how last season turned out.
Because Poole is immediate regular-season insurance for an injured Curry and/or Thompson, and is probably also the replacement for whoever retires first, why not show some good will, and get a discount, by using the rookie-extension? Green and Wiggins seem the dilemma next year rather than Green and Poole.
Wiggins walks 100% at the end of the year. Jonathan Kuminga and/or Moses Moody replace him. Hopefully with the same results lol.
Quick side note.. notice in the summer league and the Mandate for his International play, the Warriors have Jonathan Kuminga playing Draymond Green’s role in initiating the offense. Green is gone also at the end of this coming season.
GSW thinks Poole is a combo guard, a slightly taller Steph in the making. I agree, Wiggins and his $ will be the one to go.
Green and quite a number of basketball people have noted Kuminga’s lack of energy. It will be hard for Kuminga to find minutes this season unless he shapes up.
I’ll only have about 10 more comments to write on this article…, just hang tight. Just kidding LOL. My Red Sox are DONE so now I have to be excited about the Warrior season coming up. I have an opinion on everything about them right now.
What is your opinion on Mac Mclung? Also you were a die hard Kings fan last year…I guess loyalty is dead?
I may have said I like the Kings or they’re looking on the up and up or their future is promising or something. I do that a lot. Never been a Kings fan though.
Warriors since mid-80s Red Sox since late ’70s. Plenty of rough times and like most fans once you like a team you tend to stick with them through thick and thin. Even when you move away.
You said you had kings tattoo on your arm and a license plate that said “die hard”
Lol.
And I asked for your opinion on McClung? No response, just Clowning? Ok, fair enough.
Mac McClung is a younger smaller version of Jordan Poole. Flashy Dynamic offensively skilled. Little bit Helter Skelter out there which means with the flash you get turnovers.
The only way McClung sticks is if he proves he can limit the turnovers. A backup to the backup point guard needs to cherish the ball with a 25-point lead and get it to the other guys out getting a couple of minutes playing time also. They don’t need him to ball out and “prove” he belongs in the NBA.
Or what kind of guy have the Warriors carried as their third string point guard in the past? Chris choiza, the kid from Duke. Steady, won’t hurt you if you play him with a big lead. Nothing flashy just steady and reliable. That’s who McClung needs to be if he’s going to make this team out of training camp.
What we might actually see is a call up here and there during the season from the G League. Infuse a little excitement and flare.
How about your opinion? I’m curious as well.
McClung is better than Chiozza in every way. I’m betting on him to win a slot in training camp.
Of course he’s better. What I’m saying is look at the examples of steady reliable and don’t make mistakes. Look at who they’ve signed in the past. McClung is flashy and exciting. He has to show he’s reliable and steady, or they won’t keep him.
Move Poole for 7 future 1st round picks
Un-pro-TECTED 1st-rounders to boot…! lol
When I look at all these posts about Poole, you all miss one huge flaw. He can’t play defense. Wiggins can play defense and rebound. It is harder to find a player that can play defense then is to find a guy that can shoot. Poole is the perfect trade candidate.
If this new kid Rollins can be Jordan Poole light which is what they’re projecting in the beginning, then watch the Warriors do exactly that.
Rollins status isn’t going to effect Jordan Poole. They are not going to push Rollins; the guy broke his ankle. Curry didn’t do much his 1st year because of ankle problems. His second season forced them to trade Ellis.
@SFGiants
That’s what the haters said about Steph’s defense. Things change.