Jordan Poole was recently traded to the Washington Wizards in a deal that sent Chris Paul to the Golden State Warriors. According to reports, Poole had developed issues with multiple members of Golden State’s senior playing staff.
However, Poole did have some friends on the Warriors roster. In a recent Instagram Thread post, Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga sent his former teammate some words of encouragement ahead of the upcoming season.
“That boy Poole bout to go turn DC the F up,” Kuminga commented. “I can’t wait to see it. Much love my brother.”
Kuminga has spent the past two seasons playing alongside Poole but will now get the chance to learn from one of the greatest veterans in the NBA, as both he and Paul project to come off the Warriors bench next season.
JK sees big things coming for his old teammates 💯 pic.twitter.com/vR3SMNzWkF
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 6, 2023
Kuminga, 20, has already participated in 137 regular-season games in his first two years in the league, averaging 9.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, shooting 51.9% from the field and 35.3% from deep.
During a recent appearance on Paul George’s podcast, Draymond Green shared his belief that Chris Paul’s presence on Golden State’s roster is going to expedite Kuminga’s development as a player.
“I actually look forward to learning this from him,” Green said. “I think Chris Paul will completely unlock Jonathan Kuminga and his growth. CP is great with young guys. Deandre Ayton looked like a bus before CP came to Phoenix. No disrespect to Ayton – more so a nod to CP. What he will do for Jonathan Kuminga and unlocking Kuminga, is huge.”
Poole will now get the chance to be a lead offensive talent in Washington and will likely experience his own developmental leap as a result. However, things might get interesting when the Warriors and Wizards face off against each other for the first time next season.
Yet, it’s clear that both Golden State and Poole ended up in better situations than they found themselves in at the start of the offseason.
