4 Young players the Wizards should develop, 4 to give up on
By Tyler Watts
![Washington Wizards, Jordan Poole. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports Washington Wizards, Jordan Poole. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/306903eee3acfdd3590b629bbf558078273d3db615981e8166a0f4ed936472ef.jpg)
Develop: Jordan Poole
Poole is just starting a four-year $128 million extension. The 6’4 guard is overpaid given his current play, which is why the Warriors had to give up two draft picks and two young players to flip Poole to the Wizards for Chris Paul. Golden State wanted the long-term savings, but it was shocking to see them dump a 20-point per-game scorer that just turned 24 years old.
Poole struggled in the playoffs. His efficiency dipped, which caused his minutes to plummet. Those are fair criticisms, but the 24-year-old just averaged 17.0 points and 3.8 assists in 27.5 minutes per game as the Warriors won the championship in 2022. His overall 35-game career sample in the playoffs is too small to make any definitive statements on.
The Washington Wizards should be all-in on developing Jordan Poole to figure out where and how he fits moving forward. Is the 6’4 guard the team’s sixth man? Can he be their starting shooting guard? Poole can score, but his jumper and defense must improve if he is going to be one of the best players on a contending team.
Jordan Poole should be right in the middle of his prime when his contract expires in 2027. Will he be the Wizards’ number-one option or in a sixth-man role? That is something the franchise has to sort out quickly.