Despite 24YO Star’s Jaw-Dropping Start, Charles Barkley’s Best Friend Stumps $2.5 Billion Franchise With Pinching Reality

Last season, this point guard had a rough time settling in with his teammates. Following a punch and a playoff loss, the 24-year-old was traded to the Washington Wizards. Charles Barkley believed “this is going to be a chance for him to reset.” During the few pre-season games thus far, the young star has certainly proven Chuck right. He’s come out with guns blazing, tying a decades old Michael Jordan record during his previous outing.

However, Charles’ best friend and TNT co-host still issued some words of caution to the $2.5 billion Wizards franchise. Will they heed his advice and decide to rebuild around the former Golden State Warriors guard?

Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith asks “Is Poole going to be the guy?”

Washington acquired Jordan Poole in a transaction centered around Chris Paul in the beginning of July. While Chuck sees the upcoming season as a “reset” for the 24-year-old, his co-host indicated the priority of this year for the Wizards is solving some long-term problems. Because as the dust settles, Wizards will discover who their residual assets are.

“I think the one thing that you’re going to try to figure out is who will be there when it’s said and done – this is that year,” Kenny Smith said on Audacy’s 106.7 radio show. 

The Houston Rockets legend questioned, “Is Poole going to be the guy? Is Kyle Kuzma going to be the guy and we need one more with them? That’s what the expectation is when you call it a rebuild, because what you’re finding out who are your remaining assets when the dust clears.”

After the conclusion of their Bradley Beal era, the Wizards find themselves in a strange position. While having many good players is hardly an issue, Kenny Smith thinks it could affect the team’s rebuilding prospects.

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The 2x NBA champion suggested that the franchise needs proper structure around the youth to help shape the team into eventual title contention. However, only time will tell if this is the timeline the Washington team will seek to follow.

Jordan Poole has been proving Charles Barkley right

The Wizards swooped in for Poole after months of rumored locker room issues between Jordan and his teammates. Of course, it was all instigated by Draymond Green’s practice session punch, but the Warriors might live to regret their decision to part ways with the young guard.

The 2022 NBA champion scored 41 points, matching Michael Jordan‘s 2001 preseason scoring record for the Wizards. Former Warrior Donte DiVincenzo said,  “I was telling everybody — he did that with Steph and Klay on the court…He has the most confidence in himself, and the great thing about Jordan is he still carries himself as a young fella.”

Last season, Poole averaged over 20 points while playing alongside the offensive superstars Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. Now as the first option on the Wizards, his averages are expected to skyrocket.

In the preseason game against the New York Knicks, “JP3” illustrated how lethal he can be for the Wizards. Though the performance was promising, and certainly proved Charles Barkley’s point, his co-host, Kenny Smith shared some points of focus for the new-look Wizards.

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