The Warriors’ Gamble: How the Chris Paul Trade Saved Their Dynasty

The Golden State Warriors, one of the NBA’s most successful franchises in recent years, found themselves in a precarious position following the 2022 season. After winning their fourth championship in eight years, the team was poised to extend their dynasty. However, internal challenges, most notably involving promising young guard Jordan Poole, threatened to derail the Warriors’ momentum. The team’s decision to trade Poole for veteran point guard Chris Paul raised eyebrows and was widely criticized at first. But as the 2024 season unfolds, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this controversial trade may have saved the Warriors’ championship window.

The Rise of Jordan Poole

Jordan Poole’s emergence during the 2021-22 season was a significant storyline for the Warriors. The team, coming off two disappointing seasons due to injuries to key players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, saw Poole step up as a rising star. After a blistering start to the season with an 18-2 record, the Warriors entered the playoffs as the third seed in the Western Conference.

With Stephen Curry nursing an injury at the end of the regular season, Poole assumed the starting point guard role and did not disappoint. In his first-ever playoff game, Poole electrified the crowd at Chase Center, scoring 30 points against reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. He followed that performance with two more stellar games, scoring 29 and 27 points in Games 2 and 3, respectively.

Poole’s strong playoff run continued into the next series against the Memphis Grizzlies, where he dropped 31 points in Game 1. His confidence, shot-making ability, and youthful energy were invaluable to the Warriors’ title run. Although Curry eventually returned and led the charge, Poole was an instrumental part of the championship team. His contributions earned him a lucrative four-year, $128 million contract extension, signaling the Warriors’ belief that Poole was their future.

A Sudden Downfall

Despite the optimism surrounding Poole, cracks began to form in the following season. Rumors of attitude problems started to surface, and reports suggested that Poole was struggling to fit in with his teammates. Although Stephen Curry publicly refuted these claims, the infamous altercation with Draymond Green during a preseason practice cemented concerns about Poole’s standing within the team. Green punched Poole after a heated exchange, with reports suggesting that Poole had taunted Green, calling him “an expensive backpack for 30” — a reference to Curry’s jersey number and Green’s reliance on him.

The incident cast a shadow over the start of the season, and Poole’s performance on the court soon reflected the discord. Once a 50-40-90 caliber player in the playoffs, Poole’s shooting percentages plummeted to 40% from the field, 30% from three, and 80% from the free-throw line. Turnovers became a major issue, and his attempts to emulate Curry’s flashy playstyle often backfired. Instead of leading the second unit effectively, Poole’s hero-ball tendencies disrupted the team’s rhythm.

By the mid-point of the 2023 season, the Warriors were hovering around .500, struggling to find consistency. Poole’s regression was undeniable, and while it was unfair to place all the blame on him, he became an easy scapegoat. His playoff performances were a far cry from his breakout year, as he averaged just 10 points per game on inefficient shooting splits in the 2023 postseason.

The Gamble: Trading Poole for Chris Paul

As the offseason approached, the Warriors were faced with a difficult decision: give Poole another chance to rediscover his form or cut ties and make a move to improve the roster. With Stephen Curry aging and the championship window narrowing, the front office, led by new general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., chose the latter. In a bold and widely criticized move, the Warriors traded Poole to the Washington Wizards in exchange for 38-year-old Chris Paul, a player many fans viewed as an unlikely fit in the Warriors’ fast-paced offense.

Critics questioned how Paul, a 6-foot point guard known for his methodical, ball-dominant playstyle, would fit into Steve Kerr’s motion-heavy system. Additionally, Paul’s age and injury history made him a risky addition. On paper, trading a young, promising player like Poole for an aging veteran seemed like a step backward.

The Immediate Impact of Chris Paul

Despite the initial skepticism, Chris Paul’s impact was felt almost immediately. While no longer the All-Star player of his prime, Paul brought a level of leadership, basketball IQ, and stability that the Warriors’ second unit desperately needed. Under Paul’s guidance, young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis have flourished. Paul’s ability to control the pace, make smart decisions, and set up his teammates has elevated the Warriors’ bench to the best in the Western Conference in terms of scoring.

Paul’s two-man game with Dario Šarić has been particularly effective, and his veteran presence has allowed the Warriors to maintain a high level of play even when Curry and the starters are on the bench. While Paul’s statistics may not jump off the page, his intangibles and ability to make everyone around him better have been invaluable to the Warriors’ success.

Jordan Poole’s Struggles in Washington

Meanwhile, Jordan Poole’s time in Washington has been anything but smooth. Despite a standout preseason performance where he scored 41 points in a game against the New York Knicks, Poole has struggled to find consistency. Through the first 10 games of the regular season, he was averaging just 16 points per game on inefficient shooting splits (40% from the field, 30% from three), with his turnover issues persisting. Reports from inside the Wizards’ camp suggest that Poole’s attitude problems have followed him to Washington, and there are doubts about whether he is a long-term piece for the rebuilding franchise.

A Dynasty Saved

As the 2024 season progresses, it’s becoming clear that the Warriors made the right decision in trading Poole for Chris Paul. The Warriors’ strong bench, anchored by Paul’s leadership, has been a crucial factor in keeping the team in the playoff hunt. Had Poole remained with the Warriors, it’s likely that the team would be struggling to stay competitive. Instead, the gamble on Paul has paid off, and the Warriors’ championship hopes remain alive.

Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the best decisions. Mike Dunleavy Jr. took a risk in his first major move as general manager, and it appears to have saved the Warriors’ dynasty from an early collapse. While Jordan Poole’s future remains uncertain, the Warriors’ present looks much brighter with Chris Paul in the fold.