Jordan Poole is fresh off of a strong 2021-2022 NBA season. He showcased his potential and demonstrated the ability to thrive in the NBA. He averaged over 18.5 points per game during the regular season. He held strong during the playoffs with 17 points per contest. He was also efficient from beyond the arc and turned into a solid playmaker. However, the Golden State Warriors need to hold off on offering him a huge contract extension.
Sure, fans are going to beg Golden State to pay him. After all, Jordan Poole is set to hit restricted free agency next offseason. So why wouldn't the Warriors extend him this summer?
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2 reasons Warriors must hold off on Jordan Poole contract extension in 2022 NBA offseason
Who is Jordan Poole?
Golden State Warriors fans believe Jordan Poole is a star. Plenty of NBA fans would agree.
But Jordan Poole only has one star-esque season under his belt. Prior to the 2021-2022 campaign, the most points per game Poole had averaged in an NBA season was 12. One may argue that his potential is worth the risk. However, locking up someone who could regress isn't the smartest move.
The Warriors can also re-sign him next off-season. Deciding not to offer him an extension this year doesn't mean the Warriors are destined to watch him leave in the 2023 offseason.
Bleacher Report's Jake Fisher recently wrote that Golden State could further inspect his overall value this season. If he continues to perform at a star level, then they could reward him next year with a long-term deal. If not, they could still offer him a standard contract.
“Strategically, Golden State has every financial incentive to let Poole play his fourth year without a new deal framework,” Fischer wrote. “And if he repeats, or even improves upon, his sizzling production in 2022-23, the Warriors likely won’t blink an eye at rewarding Poole with a maximum deal, solidifying the franchise’s bridge into a post-Steph Curry era.”
Jordan Poole can establish himself as a consistent NBA threat with a second consecutive impressive season. But the Warriors shouldn't jump the gun and pay him just yet.
Thinking about the future
Say Golden State pays him this offseason. They would likely offer him near $200 million on a 5-year deal.
And if Poole regresses and never reaches a superstar level, the Warriors would face unnecessary financial issues moving forward. Their post-Stephen Curry days would be problematic.
The Warriors would practically appoint Jordan Poole as their next star of the future with a huge contract. But he simply hasn't shown enough to warrant that title yet.
And no, that isn't a knock on Poole. I personally believe he features an extremely high ceiling. But should the Warriors pay Jordan Poole big-time money even though he's never averaged more than 19 points per game in a season? And his main attribute is scoring. Sure, he added 4 assists per game which added an element of versatility.
But Jordan Poole is a scorer. And his point per game total may rise with a more consistent role in the rotation. And that narrative all circles back to square one. Golden State needs to evaluate his performance and then deem his overall value.
In other words, 2022-2023 will be Jordan Poole's most important season yet. Can he overcome the pressure and take the next step in his career?
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