Jordan Poole bet on himself when he left Michigan after two seasons. Now it might be time for the 23-year-old to take a gamble on himself again.
Poole became one of the league’s biggest breakout stars last season with his flashy scoring and long-range shooting capabilities, just one year removed from spending time with the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate.
Poole, the 28th pick in the 2019 draft, went from averaging 12 points during the 2020-21 season to 18.5 points last season while playing a bigger role with the team. The crafty scorer went on a tear in the final six weeks of the regular season, averaging 24.7 points, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 21 games that included 16 starts in place of an injured Stephen Curry. During that span, the best of his three-year career, he shot 47.3% overall, 41.9% from deep and 92.5% from the foul line.
The Warriors enjoyed some impressive playoff performances from Poole, who recorded double-digit scoring in 19 of 22 games, mainly off the bench.
Last season’s showing makes the $3.9 million Poole is set to make this season a steal for the Warriors, who should be hoping to lock in Poole, their most proven asset of the team’s youth movement, for years to come.
Poole became eligible to sign a rookie extension July 6. If his camp and the Warriors don’t come to an agreement by Oct. 17, he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer, putting his future in San Francisco in jeopardy.
Barring any setbacks or an epic implosion, Poole’s stock seems to be on the rise, giving him bargaining power.
There were a few offseason transactions that paint a picture as to what Poole can look to expect if an offer comes to the table. Anfernee Simons, the No. 24 overall pick of the 2018 draft signed a four-year extension reportedly worth $100 million with the Trail Blazers. RJ Barrett, the No. 3 overall pick of Poole’s draft class, signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Knicks. Another noteworthy deal is Jalen Brunson’s four-year, $104 million contract with the Knicks that came in the wake of his best season yet.
Poole still has plenty of room to grow on the defensive end but he has clear scoring prowess.
With crucial financial decisions awaiting the Warriors next offseason as they continue to find themselves deep in repeater tax hell, securing Poole now rather than later makes more sense for the team than for the Milwaukee native. But Poole might be looking to take a chance to play out the remainder of his expiring contract this season for the opportunity at an even higher pay raise next summer.
Other situations to monitor involve Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. Wiggins is on the final year of his five-year, $147 million deal that he signed with the Timberwolves when he was Poole’s age. Green is also eligible for an extension, and said to be looking for a possible maximum deal, with a player option for the 2023-24 season.
The Warriors would like to keep as many of their championship pieces intact as possible, though they had some payroll casualties in free agency, with the departures of Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., who took more lucrative deals elsewhere.
What the Warriors will do about their payroll situation is yet to be seen. But if remaining a championship contender beyond the dynastic era is still the goal, retaining Poole seems like the top priority.