The Golden State Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship was a triumph of youth and experience, with 22-year-old Jordan Poole emerging as a star alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Averaging 17.0 points on 50.8% shooting in the playoffs, Poole seemed poised to join the “Splash Brothers” as a future cornerstone. But a shocking practice altercation with Draymond Green and a lesser-known tension with Thompson unraveled his tenure. By July 2023, Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards after a lackluster postseason. While Green’s punch grabbed headlines, new revelations suggest Thompson’s discomfort with Poole’s ambition played a pivotal role. What really happened behind closed doors? Let’s dive into the drama that reshaped the Warriors’ dynasty.
Jordan Poole’s rise in the 2022 playoffs was electrifying. At just 22, he complemented Curry’s 25.5 points per game with 17.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, shooting an impressive 50.8% from the field and 39.1% from three. His speed, ball-handling, and clutch shooting earned him comparisons to a young Curry, with fans dubbing him the third “Splash Brother” alongside Curry and Thompson. The Warriors’ championship run, culminating in a six-game victory over the Boston Celtics, seemed to cement Poole’s place in their long-term plans. With a young core including Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and James Wiseman, Golden State appeared set to extend their dynasty.
However, the 2022-23 season began with a seismic disruption. On October 5, 2022, during a team practice, Draymond Green punched Poole in a heated altercation, an incident captured on leaked video and widely publicized. The punch fractured their relationship, creating a toxic dynamic that lingered throughout the season. Poole’s performance suffered, with his regular-season scoring dipping to 20.4 points on 43.0% shooting, a decline from his playoff efficiency. His postseason was even worse, averaging just 10.3 points on a dismal 34.1% shooting in the Warriors’ second-round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. By July 2023, Poole was traded to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul and draft assets, ending his Warriors tenure.
The Green-Poole incident dominated narratives, with analysts pointing to the irreparable trust breach as the primary reason for Poole’s exit. Green’s history of volatility, including suspensions for on-court antics, fueled speculation that the Warriors prioritized their veteran core over their rising star. However, a new report from The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami, shared on the “Tom Tolbert Show” on May 29, 2025, reveals another layer: Klay Thompson’s discomfort with Poole’s ambition to claim a starting role. Kawakami stated, “They had to move off of Jordan for two reasons, well, Draymond and Klay. I’ve heard this more and more that Klay was not comfortable with this guy pushing him.”
Thompson, a five-time All-Star and integral part of the Warriors’ four championships, had earned his starting spot through years of elite shooting and defense. After missing two seasons (2019-21) due to ACL and Achilles injuries, Thompson returned in 2021-22, averaging 20.4 points but struggling with consistency, shooting 42.9% from the field. Poole’s emergence as a starter during Thompson’s absence, coupled with his confidence, reportedly created tension. Kawakami noted, “Klay thought, ‘I’ve earned this starting role. Why is this guy keeps saying he should be the starter?’” While Poole didn’t publicly demand Thompson’s spot, his demeanor and on-court assertiveness signaled his ambition, clashing with Thompson’s veteran pride.
This tension wasn’t just personal—it reflected broader challenges for the Warriors. The team faced a delicate balance between their championship core (Curry, Thompson, Green) and a younger generation (Poole, Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga). Poole’s four-year, $128 million extension, signed in October 2022, signaled the Warriors’ investment in him, but his postseason struggles and the Green incident eroded confidence. Thompson, meanwhile, faced his own pressures. By the 2023-24 season, his performance had declined (17.9 points, 43.2% shooting), and he was moved to a bench role for 14 games, a humbling shift for a Warriors legend. In July 2024, Thompson left for the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, ending his 13-year tenure with Golden State.
The Poole-Thompson dynamic highlights the complexities of managing a dynasty. Poole’s confidence, while admirable, may have alienated Thompson, who felt his legacy was being challenged. Kawakami emphasized, “They couldn’t keep that guy that got punched by Draymond, not his fault, and who was making things tense with Klay.” The Warriors’ decision to trade Poole suggests they prioritized team harmony and their veteran core, betting that Curry and Green could sustain their title window. However, the trade’s aftermath raises questions. Poole thrived in Washington, averaging 22.5 points in 2024-25, while the Warriors missed the playoffs in 2024, finishing 41-41. Thompson’s departure further weakened their shooting, leaving Curry as the last “Splash Brother.”
The broader NBA context adds intrigue. Dynasties often unravel due to internal conflicts, as seen with the San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard trade in 2018 or the Miami Heat’s LeBron James exit in 2014. The Warriors’ struggle to integrate youth with veterans mirrors challenges faced by teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, who traded young assets for Damian Lillard. Poole’s exit also reflects a growing trend of young stars seeking larger roles elsewhere, similar to college players opting for NIL deals over the NBA Draft, as noted in related 2025 reports. For Warriors fans, the saga is bittersweet—Poole’s potential was undeniable, but his departure was deemed necessary to preserve team culture.
Social media has amplified the drama, with fans debating whether the Warriors made the right call. Some praise Poole’s confidence, arguing he deserved a bigger role, while others back Thompson, citing his championship pedigree. The Green punch remains a lightning rod, but Thompson’s role adds a new dimension, painting a picture of a team torn between past glory and future promise. As the Warriors rebuild around Curry and young talents like Kuminga, the Poole trade serves as a cautionary tale about ego, loyalty, and the cost of winning.
Jordan Poole’s departure from the Golden State Warriors was more than a fallout from Draymond Green’s punch—it was a collision of ambition and legacy, with Klay Thompson’s discomfort playing a crucial role. Poole’s rise as a 2022 playoff star clashed with Thompson’s veteran pride, creating tensions that, alongside the Green incident, made his exit inevitable. Traded to Washington in 2023, Poole’s story underscores the fragility of dynasties and the sacrifices made for team harmony. As the Warriors navigate a post-Thompson era, the question lingers: Did they let go of a future star too soon? Will Poole’s success haunt them? The NBA world is buzzing, and the drama isn’t over. Let’s talk basketball!