The Golden State Warriors became a fan favorite and a strong contender for winning multiple titles after clinching the Championship in the 2021-22 season with some unique talents on the roster. However, the opposite happened, and the Warriors took a downturn as they were eliminated during the conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2022-23 season. In the most recent season, Golden State performed even worse, failing to make it to the playoffs and being eliminated during the play-in tournament. Additionally, they lost some important players over the last year, including Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole.
The Golden State Warriors selected Jordan Poole with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft, signing him to a three-year contract worth a guaranteed $6.2 million. Poole emerged as a critical player for the Warriors following their championship win in the 2021-22 season and was expected to become a future star for the team.
However, things took a turn when a fight erupted between Poole and Draymond Green. TMZ Sports released a video showing Green punching Poole during a game. Despite Green’s official apology, the NBA fined him for his actions. Ultimately, the Warriors traded Poole, along with Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, and draft picks, to the Washington Wizards in July 2023 in exchange for Chris Paul.
Paul’s Stats with the Warriors Fall Short of Expectations
Paul struggled during his time with the Warriors, averaging 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in his single season with the team. Unfortunately, the Warriors did not make the playoffs that year, and as a result, they had to release Paul without receiving anything in return.
After a recent disagreement with Thompson, the Warriors ended up losing their third key player. Thompson decided to accept a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, reportedly turning down a two-year, $48 million contract in favor of a higher salary.
However, Shannon Sharpe opened up in support of the Warriors during a recent episode of the show First Take.
Also Read: Warriors’ Star Guard Klay Thompson ‘Intrigued’ About Playing Alongside LeBron James in the Lakers
