Jordan Poole emerged as a rising star in the NBA, playing a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship victory over the Boston Celtics. The former Michigan guard became a fan favorite, showcasing his scoring prowess and clutch performances. However, just one year later, in the summer of 2023, the Warriors traded Poole to the Washington Wizards, a move that sent shockwaves through the league.
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
Klay Thompson, a cornerstone of the Warriors’ dynasty, didn’t hold back when discussing Poole’s departure. In a 2023 appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, Thompson expressed his deep admiration for his former teammate: “It hurts to see Jordan go… He was homegrown… We wouldn’t have won the championship without him… 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 praise underscored Poole’s impact and left the NBA world buzzing about the young guard’s potential.
Since joining the Wizards, Poole has spent two seasons proving his worth. 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 historic milestone came on March 31, when the Wizards’ PR team announced that Poole had surpassed Bradley Beal’s franchise record for the most three-pointers in a single season, connecting on his 224th triple with 3:23 remaining in the first quarter. 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, Thompson remained with the Warriors for two more 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 shine in Washington and Thompson’s heartfelt words linger, the NBA world remains captivated by the young guard’s trajectory and the enduring bond between two former championship teammates.