The last month has seen the defending champion Golden State Warriors go through a media sandstorm surrounding two of their most pivotal players. Jordan Poole’s name had been doing the rounds in the news and on social media, however, this had nothing to do with the 23-year-old’s nine-figure contract extension, as a video had been leaked of Poole being punched at training by teammate and club veteran Draymond Green during an altercation. The typically scandal-free group entered, what coach Steve Kerr referred to as ‘the biggest crisis he’s ever had.’
The scuffle raised questions as to whether or not Poole would sign the extension before the 17th of October deadline and whether this hostility from a club veteran had put him off from establishing a future at Golden State. It was a shaky week for the Warrior’s organization with the young guard, deemed ‘the future of the Warriors,’ coming fresh off a career-high year and an NBA championship. Poole had always looked to remain at the most successful franchise of the last decade.
The contract, set to begin at the start of next season, would make the young prospect one of the wealthiest guards in the highest-paid league in the world, with current teammate and face of the franchise, Steph Curry, being the highest paid in the entire league. Poole, last season’s league leader in shot percentage from the free throw line, is expected to be guaranteed $123 Million with the remaining $17 Million coming in incentives and add-ons.
Poole, last season’s league leader in shot percentage from the free throw line, is expected to be guaranteed $123 Million with the remaining $17 Million coming in incentives and add-ons
Poole couldn’t ask for better mentors in improving his game than the two best shooters in league history, dubbed the ‘splash brothers,’ Curry being one and club legend Klay Thompson the other. Thompson’s injuries over the last 3 seasons have allowed young players like Poole to gain valuable experience alongside Curry, his increased game time helping to raise his value as a crucial and exciting asset for the Golden State franchise.
The NBA is too fast-paced and monetarily driven to live in the past, and the Warriors, who have established themselves as a top franchise must still look to the future, in building a tight nit team to continue in the post-Curry, Thompson, and Draymond era. With first picks in James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins among others, the franchise will look to resume in creating another dynasty for another generation of players, and this contract for Poole shows the front office wants him in for the long haul, to help achieve this.
