Jordan Poole, once a rising star in the NBA, played a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship victory over the Boston Celtics. The former Michigan guard was a key piece of the Warriors’ success, showcasing his scoring ability and clutch performances. However, just one year later, in the summer of 2023, Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards, a move that surprised many fans and analysts alike.
Official: We have acquired Jordan Poole, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and Ryan Rollins along with a first and second round pick in a trade with the Warriors.
📰 Read more → https://t.co/YrBV1K4m1I pic.twitter.com/TexsPpWNSZ
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 6, 2023
Following the trade, Klay Thompson, who was still with the Warriors at the time, shared his heartfelt thoughts about his former teammate on Podcast P with Paul George in 2023. Thompson didn’t hold back, expressing both admiration and sadness over Poole’s departure. “It hurts to see Jordan go… He was homegrown… We wouldn’t have won the championship without him,” Thompson said. He went on to praise Poole’s contributions, stating, “Jordan is forever gonna be cherished in the Warriors lore just for what he did and help bring us back to where we needed to go… He’s definitely got All-Star potential… Washington got a good one. Future All-Star for sure.” Thompson’s candid words resonated with fans, who were stunned by the emotional weight of his comments and his high praise for Poole’s potential.
Since joining the Wizards, Poole has spent the last two seasons establishing himself as a key player for the team. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 43.2% from the field and an impressive 37.8% from three-point range across 68 games. A notable highlight came on March 31, when the Wizards’ PR team announced that Poole had made his 224th three-pointer of the season, surpassing Bradley Beal’s 2016-17 record of 223 for the most three-pointers in a single season in franchise history. Despite these accomplishments, the 25-year-old has yet to earn an All-Star selection in his six-year career.
Wizards G Jordan Poole connected on his 224th three-pointer of the season with 3:23 remaining in the first quarter, passing Bradley Beal (223, 2016-17) for the most three-pointers in a single season in team history.#ForTheDistrict
— Wizards PR (@WizPRStats) March 31, 2025
Meanwhile, Klay Thompson remained with the Warriors for two additional seasons after their 2022 title. The future Hall of Famer later signed with the Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2024, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. As Poole continues to develop in Washington and Thompson embarks on his journey with Dallas, fans remain captivated by the mutual respect between the two former teammates and the impact they had on the Warriors’ championship run.