Jordan Poole’s stock soared during his breakout season in 2021-22, affecting his long-term future with the Golden State Warriors. Therefore, one of the Eastern Conference executives anticipates the possibility of Poole receiving an offer from the Orlando Magic.
“I’d watch out for the Magic to be ready to make an offer if he’s restricted, knowing there’s a good chance Golden State is not going to match,” the executive said.
Poole is anticipated to join one of the Eastern Conference teams if he becomes a restricted free agency (RFA), according to Deveney.
However, Poole still has the option to sign an extension with the Warriors, despite the fact that there has been no indication of both parties considering this deal.
According to Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle, if the Warriors want to offer Poole a contract, it will cost roughly $100 million over four years.
Meanwhile, according to Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, the Warriors general manager Bob Myers said that the organization has been able to pay all of its important players throughout this run of success and that he doesn’t “see that changing.”
Golden State is said to have a luxury-tax burden of $158,7 million, on top of a salary of $187,7 million. The figure is lower because the organization saved almost $53 million in taxes earlier this offseason by not re-signing Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II.
As a result, when asked by Yahoo Sports if financial worries would prevent the Warriors from keeping one of their most promising young players, both Poole and Myers responded, “No.”
“I mean, thankfully [I] work for an ownership group in Joe [Lacob] that has committed all kinds of resources to winning. And I know that because every time I asked him about roster and strategy, it’s always winning,” Myers explained.
Aside from Poole’s restricted free agency, the Warriors must keep a watch on Andrew Wiggins’ future, as he enters the final season of his current contract. As a consequence, Wiggins will be a free agent next summer.
Magic may acquire Poole
According to reports, the Magic are one of the probable landing teams for Poole since they have been developing young players like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba, and Jalen Suggs.
Therefore, adding Poole to the squad would only strengthen the team’s shooting guard position.
Poole has been noted to have averaged 18,5 points per game in 76 games last season, connecting on 36,4 percent of his three-point attempts.
Since falling in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic haven’t won a postseason series. In addition, since 2012-13, they’ve only had one winning season (42-40 in 2018–19), along with just two playoff appearances.
Poole had a terrific performance in the five-game Western Conference finals against Dallas, shooting 64 percent and 40 percent from 3-point range.
Moreover, Poole was able to finish fourth in the voting for the Most Improved Player having played in 76 games and averaging 18,5 points and four assists per game.
When asked about his role, Poole responded in a statement that he always tries to leave his mark on the squad in a positive way.
“From Day 1, just being able to try to put my imprint on the team in a positive way.”