One NBA writer is proposing that the Golden State Warriors trade Jordan Poole to the Orlando Magic.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Warriors send Poole to the Magic for Gary Harris and a 2025 first-round pick.
“This deal applies to the parenthetical in that it at least gets the Warriors closer to dodging the second apron,” Bailey wrote. “And it still gives them a rotation player who can help right away. Gary Harris didn’t score near as much as Poole in 2022-23 (he averaged 8.3 points, compared to Poole’s 20.4), but he was a far more efficient shooter, had a better box plus/minus and is a more reliable defender. Turning a hefty, lengthy contract into a smaller, expiring one and a future first-round pick would almost certainly be a win for Golden State.
“What might make it a loss, of course, is Poole rediscovering his form from the 2022 playoffs, when he averaged 17.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 threes, while shooting 39.1 percent from deep If he becomes that player again for the Orlando Magic, they might suddenly push for a playoff spot in 2024. That roster already has a ton of upside in Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. Adding an explosive playmaker who turns 24 in June could further facilitate the team’s development.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors & Orlando Magic Updates
Poole signed a four-year, $128 million extension with the Warriors in October 2022. The extension kicks in next season. The Michigan product averaged a career-high 20.4 points for the Warriors this past season while shooting 43.0% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 87.0% from the free-throw line.
However, Poole wasn’t able to carry over his regular-season success to the postseason. In 13 playoff games versus the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, Poole averaged 10.3 points while shooting an inefficient 34.1% overall and 25.4% from 3-point range.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors & Orlando Magic Updates
The Warriors, who won the championship last season over the Boston Celtics, lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals in six games, with Poole averaging just 8.3 points in the series.
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