It’s becoming increasingly clear with each game that the Golden State Warriors prevailed in the Chris Paul-Jordan Poole transaction. They traded an aging player with an expiring contract for a young talent with an oversized four-year, $128 million contract. Golden State has the long-term advantage. For the Warriors and the Washington Wizards, the deal has presented challenges in the near term.
Poole and Paul have had difficulties. Paul sees this as an extension of the precipitous drop from the previous year. In terms of points per game (9.6), field goal percentage (40.0), player efficiency rating (15.7), value-over-replacement player rating (0.5), and win shares (1.4), he’s averaging career-low amounts. Poole’s scoring average of 17.7 does not include all the information. In the meanwhile, Poole has the lowest plus-minus (-199) in the NBA in addition to shooting 39.5 percent from the field.
It’s important to remember that Paul and Poole are getting used to new duties. That requires each company to be patient. The Warriors have greater cause for hope if you’re searching for the bright side.
Paul was brought in by Golden State (7-9) to strengthen their second unit and steady their offense. Last season, turnovers (16.0, second-most in the NBA) were one of the Warriors’ issues. Paul is cautious with the basketball even at 38 years old. His new squad has improved to 14.7 turnovers per game, which is 19th in the league, thanks to his career-low 1.2 turnover average. This should provide Steve Kerr other playmaking alternatives in addition to Steph Curry and Draymond Green when Golden State is playing at its best.
Unfortunately, Paul’s shortcomings are evident when he plays. Paul is the best small point guard in the NBA since the legendary Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons and a future Hall of Famer. Paul, who was six feet tall, had previously defied his height by anticipating and acting quickly. His bulk is now a disadvantage. He has the lowest defensive rating of his career this season. This increases the strain on the Warriors offense, who has strangely had difficulty scoring and making baskets. Though it’s still early and things can drastically alter by February’s All-Star break, Paul hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far.
Paul’s frustrations may be at their peak right now. He was tossed by his old rival, referee Scott Foster, during a Thanksgiving Eve game against the Phoenix Suns.
Paul’s problems are understandable. He is a 19-year-old veteran playing in a younger division. Poole’s decline in popularity is more of a puzzle. Less than a year after receiving a new contract, he went from being a budding star on an NBA championship team to a player who was memorably hit in the face by Green and sent away. It’s among the most rapid turns of events in recent NBA history.
Although nobody had big hopes for Poole when he arrived in Washington (2–12), everyone thought he would score a lot of points. Even the worst basketball teams have a standout player. The fact that Poole isn’t even the Wizards’ best bucket-getter has surprised people. Kyle Kuzma has improved significantly, scoring 23.7 points per game on 48.2 percent shooting. Even though Paul has played terrible defense, Poole has the 10th-worst defensive rating in the league. Due to his subpar performance, Poole has been the subject of many bizarre anecdotes, such as him flaunting his skills even when he misses shots.
Poole might not be here long in Washington. The 24-year-old is reportedly in the running to be moved once more. He does have worth given his age and championship experience. Poole might be a valuable asset to a playoff squad if a team is prepared to take on the next three years of his deal.
Once more, maybe Paul and Poole will get better in the closing stages. However, both are currently going through a season to forget.
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