Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Klay Thompson says Wizards’ Jordan Poole will be “cherished forever”

By Cory Nelson

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Jordan Poole #3 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after they defeated the the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 at Chase Center on December 30, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Jordan Poole #3 and Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after they defeated the the Portland Trail Blazers 118-112 at Chase Center on December 30, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Even though it was pretty obvious that the 2022-23 season was the last time Jordan Poole played in a Golden State Warriors uniform, the situation wasn’t all that toxic. Poole, now a member of the Washington Wizards, still has some fans in the Bay Area.

Even on his former team.

In a recent interview on Paul George’s podcast Podcast P with Paul George, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Warriors’ shooting guard Klay Thompson reflected on Poole’s time with the Warriors and said that he’ll still be missed.

“It hurts to see Jordan go,” Thompson said. “He was homegrown. I saw him put the work in. I saw him go 2-for-15 in a game, but then he would be in the dungeon—which we call our practice facility, because there’s no windows—getting shots up right after the game. I’m like, ‘Man, this kid’s going to be special. And we wouldn’t have won the [2021-22] championship without him. He was so important to us when [Stephen Curry] went down. Jordan is forever gonna be cherished in the Warriors’ lore just for what he did and help bring us back to where we needed to go and I know he’s going to do great things in Washington and it felt good seeing him last week. It was weird seeing him in some Wizards gear but that’s like Steph and I’s little bro.”

Despite how it all ended, Poole’s tenure with the Warriors was something special. After averaging just eight points in his rookie year, he went on to average double-figure points in the following three years.

His breakout season came in the 2021-22 campaign. Once Stephen Curry went down with an unfortunate foot injury on Mar. 16 against the Boston Celtics, Poole got his chance to show what he could really do. With Curry out, he averaged 25 points and six assists, including a 38-point performance on Mar. 30 against the Phoenix Suns.

Curry was able to return for the 2022 playoffs but it didn’t stop Poole’s production. In fact, he played a critical role in their championship over the Celtics. During the postseason, he averaged a playoff career-high 17 points, including a 13-point average in the Finals.

Now, for those living under a rock, Poole’s time in San Francisco started to come near the end in October 2022. During a team practice on Oct. 5, 2022, a TMZ video went viral of Poole and forward Draymond Green getting into an altercation, resulting in Green punching Poole.

Once that happened, trade talks started to heat up.

At first, it was reported the Warriors were considering moving on from Green but with the experience he holds and the ability to be a locker room voice, they decided to trade Poole instead.

While it may leave a bitter taste in his mouth, Poole now has the chance to fit in with a much younger team in the Wizards. He has already expressed excitement for playing alongside Kyle Kuzma and Deni Avdija.

With the playoff experience and the shooting ability Poole offers, the Wizards could benefit hugely from the trade.

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