SAN FRANCISCO ― Jordan Poole helped the Golden State Warriors win an NBA championship in 2022, but it hasn't always gone well for Poole since leaving the Bay Area via trade in 2023.
That was certainly true in his return Monday night.
The Warriors delivered a 51-point beatdown Nov. 9 against the Pelicans, defeating them 138-87
at Chase Center. After the game, Poole sounded off after his Pelicans dropped to 4-7."Pretty (expletive) difficult. Pretty (expletive) difficult," Poole told reporters. He also reminisced about better days in the Bay Area.
"I mean you just played right. They played the right way, bro. They played good basketball. They played team basketball," Poole said. "Obviously, the environment is pretty high level. But like I said, once
you put a lot of work and you got hardware with an organization, with a team, with a city, you're kind of cemented in the history. So it's good, but do I miss it? Hell yeah!"
Poole, who finished with seven points on 1-of-5 field goals with three rebounds and two assists, is averaging just 6.2 points on 19% shooting from the field and 23.5% on 3-point attempts.
That's a long way from his best season with Golden State during 2022-23, when he averaged 20.4 points.
Poole, who had a reunion with former backcourt mate Stephen Curry before tip-off, said after the game that he'd absolutely welcome an official reunion back to the Bay.
"Yes. I mean, it feels like home, though," Poole said. "Driving into the (expletive) arena, you know, crossing the the Bay Bridge or wherever you're coming from, it definitely feels natural. And I think it's pretty evident, you know, the way that I play is very fitting to how I used to play here. Nothing's changed, you know, other than the system that I'm in.
"We won a championship, you know, so it works. And it did work," he added. "That's what you ultimately want to do when you come out here and you play the game. So, to answer your question, definitely. This is my last year on the deal (in New Orleans). I'm a free agent at the end of the season, so you never really know what's gonna happen."
Such a return might mean reuniting with Draymond Green. A leaked video in 2022 showed Green punch Poole during a practice that season. The Warriors traded Poole the following year. Green, who is also in the final year of his contract, wasn't opposed to a reunion.
"That would be incredible," Green said according to the Mercury News. "I have no issue with that at all. I will never stand in the way of this organization thinking they can better themselves. The issue will never be me. Ever."
Jordan Poole's contract
Poole is in the final year of a four-year, $128 million contract, he signed with the Warriors before being traded to the Wizards. Poole is owed $34 million this season and then he will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. He said if there's any place he's comfortable playing, it's where it all started in the Bay Area.
"I always love coming back to the Bay. Definitely feels like home," Poole said. "The fans are always really welcoming. Always cool to see some jerseys and fans I used to see her all the time, so it's definitely a warm welcome, and I definitely miss it for sure."
Poole was drafted by the Warriors with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, becoming a champion and a fan favorite in the Bay Area.
The Pelicans' last winning season was the 2023–24 season, when they finished with a record of 49–33. Poole, then, played for the Washington Wizards, who finished 15–67.
"It's only so much that you can control. You know what I mean?" Poole said. "I think over the last probably last few seasons, I think I've had five coaches in four years, and it's a tough recipe to be successful. And different organizations trying to figure out what they want to do with the team. Multiple front offices, so it's just been a lot of moving parts."
A lot of Poole's frustration stems from leaving a winning culture with the Warriors for franchises struggling to find their identity.
"Coming from a team that had one common goal, knew we wanted to win. Everybody's on the same page. Everybody came into camp trying to win a championship, ready to sacrifice playing team ball," Poole said. "That's kind of like the way I grew up; was the way I played my entire career. So it's definitely different, and it's been an adjustment. But there's nothing better than playing the right way and playing team ball.
"I think tonight, just watching the game was a prime example of that," he added. "I mean, it's been pretty difficult, but you know, that's life. You have to just figure out ways to keep pushing, keep thriving, and you know, try to make the most of whatever situation you have. Keep learning."
Jordan Poole share moment with fellow Wolverine Yaxel Lendeborg
Poole and Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg are both former Michigan Wolverines, and the two shared a moment after the game, swapping jerseys.
"We share the same alma mater. He got a championship, I told him congrats on that. We like to keep our Michigan circle pretty close-knit," Poole said. "Let him know that he has another supporter in the league. He's been playing really well and tremendous. I just want him to keep it up man. If there's anything that he needs or anything I can do to help, you know, just being a guy who's been in the league for a little bit, I just told him to reach out."
The love and respect was reciprocated.
"It was amazing. I've always wanted to meet him since I went to Michigan," Lendeborg said to USA TODAY Sports about Poole. "Hearing, seeing everything he did here for Golden State, he's an phenomenal player, phenomenal person. He seems like a guy who pretty much has the same personality and character as me. It was great to meet him, he said a bunch of kind words. It was a great interaction for me."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Frustrated Jordan Poole open to Bay Area return after 51-point loss to Warriors
