Wizards fleecing Warriors in Chris Paul trade reveals important lesson for rebuild

The Golden State Warriors just waived Chris Paul, clearing the way for him to sign with the San Antonio Spurs in free agency, teaming up with Victor Wembanyama. This makes the Washington Wizards look even better.

Last offseason, the Wizards traded Paul to Golden State after getting him from the Phoenix Suns for Bradley Beal. In return, the Warriors sent Washington Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, a 2027 second-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick (top-20 protected), and cash considerations.

Wizards trade that sent Chris Paul to the Warriors is perfect example of move rebuilding teams need to make

Fast forward one year, and Paul is off the Warriors, and they got nothing in return for him. They legitimately just waived him, meaning, in a way, they got zero long-term return out of the deal.

The Wizards played their cards perfectly. Beal was a bad asset on the contract he was on, so they flipped him, and then flipped Paul again for assets that were deemed bad by another team.

Obviously, Poole had a downright bad season in Washington. But he ended the year on a high note and is still only 25 years old. There is still time for him to turn things around.

Rollins didn’t pan out, and Baldwin Jr. doesn’t look amazing, but the Wizards also got two picks out of the deal—one second-rounder and one first-rounder.

The fact that they managed to flip a guy who they never planned on having on the roster into that many assets is incredible, and the Warriors didn’t even get much out of the deal.

Had Draymond Green not punched Poole, perhaps the Warriors may have chosen to keep the young guard around. And in the process, they would have gotten to keep their picks, too.

But that didn’t happen, and the Wizards reaped the rewards.

Now, heading into the next few years of their much-needed rebuild, the Wizards are set up beautifully. They have plenty of picks, some of which they got in this deal for Poole.

Not only did they end up absolutely fleecing the Warriors, but they also helped build themselves a great foundation for what they are doing moving forward.

This deal is the perfect example of a move that all rebuilding teams should try to make.