Young stud Jordan Poole is ascending into stardom before our very eyes. For the Warriors last season, he proved himself as an elite scorer and shooter with averages of 18.5 points, 4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game on 44.8% shooting.
But with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2022-23 season, Poole might not be in Golden State for too much longer. Instead, a certain team in South Florida could end up with the young star.
(via Heavy):
The Warriors can pass on an extension for Poole if they choose, allowing him to become a restricted free agent next summer. If he gets there, one league executive speculates that we can expect at least one team with cap space to be ready to pounce.
“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,” one Eastern Conference executive told Heavy Sports.
While the Magic aren’t nearly as successful as the Warriors, they are building quite a core of young stars, and Jordan Poole could be one addition that finally cements them as a regular playoff team.
The Magic could have almost $60 million in salary-cap space in the summer of 2023 and will be eager, after two years of rebuilding plus next season, to begin a turnaround in the standings. They are very high on the prospects of big man Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft.
“They’re going to establish something with Paolo in the frontcourt, with his passing. But they’re going to need a top-level perimeter scorer, too. If you put Poole with Paolo and Franz Wagner, it’s an exciting young team,” the exec said.
Jordan Poole is definitely worth keeping around for Golden State, but they have way too much money being dished out already to bring him back without a little hesitation.
The situation is perfect for the Magic, who still need a few more pieces to round out their core.
