Fans and experts were caught off guard when the Golden State Warriors opted to trade Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards earlier this summer.
The move came just one year after the Warriors signed the 24-year-old to a four-year contract extension worth more than $123 million.
While many viewed him as the player to take over from Stephen Curry once he retires, that all changed prior to the 2022/23 NBA season.
Stephen Curry speaks about the change of Jordan Poole and Chris Paul
Stephen Curry gives his thoughts about the change of Jordan Poole and Chris Paul
That’s when Poole was involved in an incident with Draymond Green that saw the veteran punch the young guard.
Following their elimination from the 2023 NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, Green and coach Steve Kerr admitted that the incident affected the team and played a part in their early exit.
The lack of trust within the team was noticeable, with Poole really struggling to make his mark.
He shot just 34.1 percent from the field and 25.4 percent from behind the three-point line.
Just a few weeks later, he was traded to the Wizards.
Poole and his issue with the Warriors
Along with the punch, reports suggest Poole wasn’t happy with the fact he wasn’t being treated the way Curry, Green and Klay Thompson were being treated by the organization.
“The punch was kind of like the cherry on top, but there was some festering way before that during the season that had nothing to do with the punch,” NBA insider Jason Dumas told The Morning Roast.
“He just wanted more playing time. He wanted to start, he wanted a role.
“Whether you think this is fair or not, he wanted to get treated like Steph, Klay, and Dray, and he noticed that, in his opinion, wasn’t equal treatment. He didn’t appreciate it.”
Now, Poole will get a fresh start in Washington as he looks to put his final Warriors season behind him.
