Will Jordan Poole bet on himself again as Warriors’ extension deadline
looms?
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.
>BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 10: Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole
(3) takes a 3-point shot against Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams (44) in
the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston,
Mass., on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
>BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 10: Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole
(3) takes a 3-point shot against Boston Celtics’ Robert Williams (44) in
the second quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals at TD Garden in Boston,
Mass., on Friday, June 10, 2022. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
By MADELINE KENNEY | mkenney@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: September 19, 2022 at 5:45 a.m. | UPDATED: September 20, 2022
at 11:09 a.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/09/19/will-jordan-poole-bet-on-himself-again-as-warriors-extension-deadline-looms/

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 better 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, inked a
four-year extension reportedly worth $100 million with the Trail
Blazers, and 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.

>RELATED ARTICLES
Draymond Green calls for NBA owners’ vote on future of Suns owner
Robert Sarver
Warriors training camp preview: What to expect from starting unit
returning from championship run
NBA free agents: Dennis Schroder to Lakers; ex-Heat forward James
Johnson to Pacers
Steph Curry nearing $1 billion lifetime endorsement with Under
Armour: report
NBA superstar Stephen Curry reportedly close to signing $1 billion
lifetime deal with Under Armour

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; and 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.