The NBA world was shocked last week when the Warriors traded Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards in a trade for Chris Paul on draft day.
But Golden State superstar Steph Curry knows surprises are part of the game. Still, saying goodbye to a promising young player like Poole can be difficult, even when you’re backed by a talented veteran like Paul.
“Business is crazy,” Curry recently told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “We all know that. If you had asked us six months ago if that could happen, the answer would probably have been no, just based on where we are. Then you get to summer and try to find ways to get there better and put yourself in a position to aim for another championship.
“Every team that CP has played in gets better. That’s the most consistent thing about him and about who he is and what he brings to the team. Everyone will talk about old age. It’s up to us to put it all together and figure out how.” All the pieces work.
It looks like both Curry and Paul will have no problem focusing on the future as longtime opponents-turned-teammates. But the loss of Poole, who was once considered by the Warriors organization to be Curry’s heir apparent, is a harder pill to swallow.
“You hate losing JP,” Curry told Slater. “I know it’s not quite official yet. So I don’t want to talk too much beforehand. But that’s the hard part of the business, watching a young man come around.” [and then get traded]. It’s a great opportunity for him. It’s just getting to know someone like that, building a friendship, building a bond.”
The Warriors’ move to Paul was multifaceted, with Poole’s exorbitant salary, set to begin next season, playing a big part in the decision. But the trade was also motivated by a win-now mentality, and Golden State moved away from its future by sending Poole and reportedly also 2022 draft picks Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins to Washington.
Paul is also in win-now mode, telling ESPN’s Malika Andrews Monday that he’s excited to play alongside the Warriors’ championship core in the hunt for the first ring of his 18-year career.
“We’ve known each other a really, really long time, man,” Paul told Andrews of Curry. “So I’m delighted to get the chance to play alongside him, Klay [Thompson], [Andrew Wiggins]Draymond [Green], all of them. You have incredible organization. This team is simple – they’ve been playing together for a while and they know what they’re doing.”
Swapping a 24-year-old security guard for one who just turned 38, Curry understands what it might look like on the outside. But winning another NBA title is his priority and he believes Paul gives them a good chance.
“It’s hard to spot [Poole] go,” Curry said to Slater. “But you know, we’re trying to win next year and CP can help us with that.”
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