NBA Rumors: There is a potential scenario in which the Golden State Warriors choose to pay Jordan Poole over Draymond Green.
Heading into the 2022-23 NBA season, specifically over the next couple of weeks, the Golden State Warriors have a huge decision to make. And it’s whether or not they should extend Jordan Poole before the season or let him play out the year.
He was a breakout star for the team last season and proved to be a valuable budding star for the team, despite his inconsistent play in the postseason. If they do end up re-signing Poole now, it will prove to be costly – see the Tyler Herro, RJ Barrett extensions that have already been signed this offseason.
The potential cost of re-signing Jordan Pool for the Golden State Warriors
If the Warriors do re-sign Poole, who they reportedly aren’t willing to lose in restricted free agency next offseason, it could come at a cost. The Warriors have a loaded salary cap sheet already and need to figure out how to pay Poole, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green. Then, soon after, James Wiseman and Klay Thompson will be up for extensions too.
The reality is that the Warriors aren’t going to be able to pay everyone. But for now, there seems to be a decision that Golden State may have to make between Poole and Draymond.
They could re-sign them both but would have to let Wiggins walk in free agency and then probably make some trades to gut the rest of their roster.
And if the Warriors “aren’t willing” to lose Poole, where does that theoretically leave Draymond after an offseason where it’s already been reported that he wants a max extension and that he is willing to play elsewhere if it means getting the extension he feels he deserves?
If these reports are indeed accurate, that means it would be surprising if the Warriors and Poole didn’t come to a contract extension agreement over the next couple of weeks. The deadline for rookie-scale extensions (which Poole qualifies for) is the day before the start of the 2022-23 NBA regular season (October 17).
The Warriors and Poole have roughly 10 days to finalize an agreement. Though, I’d have to believe that something is already close. If that is indeed the case, you’d have to wonder where that possibly leaves Draymond heading into the final season of his current contract with the Golden State Warriors.