A lone bright spot of 18 points couldn’t mask the frustration on Jordan Poole‘s face as he left the court following the Washington Wizards’ defeat to the Denver Nuggets. Since his trade from the Golden State Warriors last year, Poole’s NBA journey has taken an unexpected turn, leaving questions over his role and future in the league.
Ever since he arrived in D.C., Poole hasn’t quite found his rhythm. His scoring average, a respectable 20 points per game with the Dubs, has dipped to 15 points this season leading the Wizards to bench the point guard.
Spoke to a displeased Jordan Poole postgame about the Wizards' moving him to the bench: "If there’s any common sense, with the situation, you should know how I feel. But I’m just going to come out, do what I can do to help the team, keep it moving."
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) February 23, 2024
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In the game against the Denver Nuggets, 130-110, while teammate Kyle Kuzma bagged 31 points, Poole was pulled in from the bench, and in the 30 minutes he played, he got 1 rebound and 1 assist with 18 points. In the post-game interview, a seemingly frustrated Jordan said, “I mean, if this is a way to try to get me on ball, I guess that’s just what we have to do.” Poole stated that he felt he has proved his value in many different areas on the court and continued, “I can’t do anything but control what I can control.”
"I mean, if this is a way to try to get me on ball, I guess that’s just what we have to do." Poole said he feels he's proved his value in many diff. areas on court… "I can't do anything but control what I can control."
— Ava Wallace (@avarwallace) February 23, 2024
The frustration is understandable. After all, Poole was instrumental in the Warriors’ 2023 playoff run, showcasing his offensive prowess and clutch shots in moments that mattered. This season, however, the magic seems to have faded. Injuries haven’t helped, with Poole missing a chunk of games due to several injuries. But even when healthy, it still hasn’t been a “Poole Party“.
Read More: “He Got His A** Whopped”: Jordan Poole Gets Torched for Having Emotionless 2023
The struggles extend beyond Poole. The Wizards, despite holding onto their playoff aspirations, currently sit at a mid 22-27 record. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has experimented with different rotations. Sadly, Poole hasn’t consistently fit into those rotations, raising doubts about his long-term fit in Washington’s roster and in the league.
Is Poole’s performance matching the price tag?
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Jordan Poole’s hefty contract became a hot topic of debate in the NBA, with some calling it one of the worst deals currently on the books. The 24-year-old guard, signed to a four-year, $128 million extension by the Golden State Warriors, is now playing for the Washington Wizards after a trade sent him packing from the Bay Area.
Poole’s current salary of $27.4 million is a stark contrast to his balling these days. His scoring decline, along with inconsistencies in his passing and defense, has led to questions about whether he’s justifying his salary.
"A lot of teams are calling the Jordan Poole contract one of the worst deals in the NBA right now."
(Via @957thegame ) pic.twitter.com/H5YqsNiCYC
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 22, 2024
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Poole’s name is moving around in trade rumors and the 24-year-old will soon find himself at a crossroads. Can he adapt to the Wizards’ system? Only time will tell but one thing remains certain: the frustration is real, and the future for both player and team is anything but clear. Will be on the bench or on-court during the next showdown between the Washington Wizards and the Oklahoma City Thunders? Stay tuned to find out!