Heading into the 2023 NBA draft, there was palpable buzz that the stage was set for some truly ground-shaking trades to be made throughout the day. Thursday afternoon’s reported deal sending Chris Paul to the Warriors and Jordan Poole to the Wizards would certainly qualify as eye-opening.
Paul joins an already veteran-laden roster that seemingly signifies his best, and perhaps final, chance at winning an NBA championship. A Golden State backcourt of Paul, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson would have a combined 26 All-Star appearances and 22 All-NBA selections. The Warriors won the title in 2022 but were bounced by the Lakers in the second round this season.
BREAKING: The Wizards are finalizing a deal to send Chris Paul to the Warriors for Jordan Poole and future draft assets, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/VguE8kG8Yo
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 22, 2023
By dealing away Poole, the Warriors are cutting ties with a player who’s only 24 years old and is just eight months removed from signing a four-year, $123 million contract extension that doesn’t begin until next season. It also ends a rocky year for the player after his preseason scuffle with Draymond Green created lingering friction that both Green and head coach Steve Kerr said impacted the way the team’s season ended.
However the decision plays out for both teams, the move stunned fans and those around the league. Check out some of the best social media reactions below.
Traded Jordan Poole for a 38 year old Chris Paul https://t.co/B69t3fJnUB https://t.co/WVtPPceTvx
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) June 22, 2023
Chris Paul's new head coach...pic.twitter.com/bZEIyztDCg
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 22, 2023
Chris Paul and Draymond Green are combining to form the most formidable groin-striking duo in the history of sports https://t.co/xVYVbLnJ3k
— Pablo Torre 🏴☠️ (@PabloTorre) June 22, 2023
Wizards getting more for Chris Paul than Bradley Beal is wild
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 22, 2023
Chris Paul was on track to be released….I’m so confused why the Warriors shipped their best asset for him.
— Ry (@JustRyCole) June 22, 2023
Jordan Poole really got traded for a 40 year old Chris Paul… and the Warriors had to throw in some picks too pic.twitter.com/LilwUi9yKu
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) June 22, 2023
Chris Paul gives the Warriors one of the best-ever PGs to run their offense, and a midrange assassin who can go get a bucket
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) June 22, 2023
warriors fans going back and deleting all their negative tweets towards chris paul pic.twitter.com/c1kRVsJPOC
— sean yoo (@SeanYoo) June 22, 2023
Steph Curry and Chris Paul are now teammates 🤯 pic.twitter.com/zfZYtoZlAx
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) June 22, 2023
Chris Paul and Steph putting aside their differences to win a title pic.twitter.com/NTdrQTw7TS
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) June 22, 2023
