Golden State Warriors swap Jordan Poole for Chris Paul in stunning ...

The Golden State Warriors are trading Jordan Poole and future assets to the Washington Wizards for point guard Chris Paul, league sources confirmed to this news organization Thursday afternoon just hours before the 2023 NBA Draft is set to take place.

Mike Dunleavy Jr., in his first big move as the Warriors’ general manager, sent 24-year-old Poole, rookie Ryan Rollins, a protected 2030 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Paul, an 11-time All-Star.

Paul’s acquisition is a sign that the Warriors are going all-in on fielding a veteran team to contend for a title next season, while also giving Golden State more financial flexibility next summer. It also leaves the Warriors an additional roster spot to sign a free agent this offseason, but they will be limited to a veteran minimum contract.

The Phoenix Suns agreed to trade Paul to Washington days ago in a package that netted them All-NBA guard Bradley Beal. He has two years left on his contract, and his 2024-25 salary of $30 million is not guaranteed, giving the Warriors the option to wash their hands of Paul next summer if this marriage doesn’t work out in his first season. He will make $30.8 million next season, a figure that reportedly will become fully guaranteed.

A main concern regarding Paul, who turned 38 in May, is his health. The future Hall of Famer was limited to 59 regular-season games last season due to injury and didn’t play in Phoenix’s final four playoff games after straining his hamstring.

The Warriors’ training staff, led by Rick Celebrini, has had success improving the health of oft-injured players such as Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II.

If Paul can stay on the floor, he could provide a veteran voice to the second unit that lacked an identity last season and was in need of a more established leader.

The Warriors traded Poole, the 28th overall pick in 2019, at the onset of the four-year, $128 million extension he signed last offseason after what seemed to be a breakout 2022 championship season. Poole struggled last season coming off the bench and especially in the postseason. He averaged 20.4 points, 4.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds this season while shooting 43% from the field and 33.6% from deep.

Poole’s departure this offseason seemed like a real possibility after his relationship with Draymond Green was strained last October. A video went viral in the preseason of Green punching Poole in the face during a practice session. He signed the extension weeks after the punch.

After this season concluded with a second-round loss to the Lakers, coach Steve Kerr admitted that the altercation left a cloud over the team. Green also said the incident caused him to spend the first half of the season walking on eggshells and inhibited his ability to be the team’s fiery and vocal leader.

With the Warriors now not having to worry about footing the bill for Poole, and Klay Thompson, barring an extension, coming off the books next summer, Golden State will have more financial freedom after this season to potentially bolster its roster with other star free agents.