There is a lot of love and appreciation for Jordan Poole in the Bay Area. As he geared up to play his first game at the Chase Center since being traded to the Washington Wizards in July, Poole received a heartwarming welcome from his former teammates in San Francisco. Superstar guard Steph Curry greeted him with a warm hug during the pregame warm-ups, and center Kevon Looney, who shares the same hometown of Milwaukee, also embraced him warmly.
Prior to the game, the Warriors also paid a special tribute to Poole, which was followed by a joyful response from the packed crowd during the pregame introductions.
In the past, Poole was considered a crucial part of the Warriors’ future plans, seen as the next star alongside the dominant trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green. He showcased his scoring abilities off the bench during Golden State’s championship run in 2022 and received a well-deserved four-year contract extension in October that same year.
However, Poole faced difficulties in the previous season. His scoring was inconsistent, his defense was a weakness, and he ranked fourth in turnovers throughout the league with a total of 252.
Following their elimination in the Western Conference semifinals, the Warriors traded Poole to the Washington team as the main component in a deal to acquire experienced guard Chris Paul.
Unfortunately, Poole hasn’t found his stride with the Wizards yet, averaging 17.2 points per game with a field goal percentage of 41.2%. He often becomes the subject of viral moments for his unfortunate mishaps on the court.
Nonetheless, it’s still early in his time with the Wizards. The upcoming game against the Warriors will only be Poole’s 27th appearance with his new team. Regardless of the outcome, it’s evident that Poole’s former teammates are rooting for his success.
