The Jordan Poole roller coaster has finally come to an end for the Washington Wizards and while there may have been more low points than high ones, it feels safe to say Washington got off easy in comparison to what the Golden State Warriors went through,
Granted, Poole helped bring an NBA Championship to Golden State, but also brought plenty of shenanigans with it.
Washington saw plenty of the puzzling decision-making that raised concerns for the Warriors' brass and as a result, the Wizards opted to move on from the young guard in order to not only open up minutes for incoming guard's like Tre Johnson, but to land a veteran presence that could finally mentor their young backcourt in CJ McCollum.
However, had Washington chose not to pursue Poole from the Warriors in the first place, they could have found the veteran piece they have been searching for two offseasons ago.
That player? Chris Paul.
Chris Paul was the centerpiece of the blockbuster trade between the Phoenix Suns and the Wizards when the Bradley Beal domino finally dropped.
Not because CP3 was at the top of his game, but because his lucrative contract allowed for Phoenix to move on from an aging player while bringing in a dynamic piece in Beal that they felt could get them over the top.
Obviously, we all know how the Beal experiment in Phoenix went, but that's not what we're here to talk about.
Over the last year, the Wizards have made it clear that bringing in savvy veterans has become a priority within the team's game plan moving forward in their rebuilding process.
Between a failed attempt to find a steady veteran in Malcolm Brogdon, a short tenure for Jonas Valanciiunas, an injury-riddled start to Khris Middleton's stint and a quick turnaround for Marcus Smart''s time in the DMV, Washington has been on the prowl seeking a vet that can mentor their young squad.
However, they may have had one of the best mentors in the league in their hands before dealing him away to the Warriors in exchange for Poole, who now resides in New Orleans.
Paul would have obviously needed to agree to be that player for the Wizards and as his career winds down, there's certainly a chance he would have preferred being dealt to a contender.
However, he could have at least started the season in Washington to provide what the Wizards have struggled to find up to this point.