“Still a Jordan Poole Fan”: Ex-Warrior Reveals Failed Plans for 24-Year-Old Before Turning Draymond Green’s Casualty

Jordan Poole had one of the most unfortunate trades last season. After a promising stint with the Golden State Warriors winning a ring, the team traded him out for Chris Paul. While it wasn’t official, it was understood that Draymond Green’s violent behavior forced the trade. Playing for the Washington Wizards, Poole took a lot of blows since his stats took a hit. The team finished 14th in the East, however, former Dubs player Juan Toscano-Anderson still took the 24-year-old star’s side.

Anderson, who was part of the 2022 championship run, also revealed Steve Kerr’s plan with Poole before his exit. Speaking in a recent interview, the 31-year-old claimed, “Obviously, people are shitting on him all year… When you are playing behind Steph and Klay, not that he was ever hiding, you can be a decoy sometimes. When you are given the keys to a team and you have to be the guy, it get a little difficult.”

During Jordan Poole’s four-season stint with the Warriors, everyone expected him to be the next big thing. The rising star even played a crucial role in Stephen Curry & Co.’s comeback championship win in 2022, coming off the bench. He averaged 17 points in the 2022 playoffs, making himself a true heir for Steph. In the following season, Poole got himself promoted to the starting lineup and produced a career-best average of 20.4 points.

But, it also came alongside the Draymond Green debacle. After the star punched him during the practice session, it ruptured the youngster’s rapport in the locker room. Eventually paving the way for a trade. And, with the Wizards, Poole’s performance took a hit, as he averaged only 17.4 points. However, Juan Anderson, who is currently a free agent, still seemed to trust the youngster. He said, “I’m still a Jordan Poole Fan. I hope that he will rise to the occasion and be in the group of guys.”

Does Draymond Green regret his actions on Poole?

When the video of Draymond Green punching Poole leaked on the internet, the fans were all over it. They accused the 4x NBA Champion of ruining the team’s run in the last season. The team’s then-general manager, Bob Myers immediately took matters into his hands and responded to the press. He revealed that Green apologized to the entire team along with Poole in the locker room a day after the incident. Moreover, the star also spoke about it in several interviews later. But during his recent podcast, he admitted regretting his actions.

During the latest episode featuring Kevon Looney, DrayMagic brought up the topic himself and spoke his heart out. He said, “Was so embarrassed to be around our team last year with JP… I was probably late last season 20 times.” The star revealed how he couldn’t face his teammates and deliberately avoided interactions out of embarrassment.

Now that Poole has already gone out of the side, will he get back in the Golden State Warriors fold once again? He currently has three more seasons left with the Wizards, and the Dubs can make it work by moving a few pieces in the off-season. Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow in what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, watch this video below.