3 trades the Golden State Warriors have to make this offseason
By Jakob Ashlin
Warriors trade No. 1: Jordan Poole blockbuster
Wait, hear me out.
Jordan Poole is a negative asset. The 23-year-old guard had a rough postseason in which he shot 34.1 percent from the field and 25.4 percent from 3. There were concerns during the regular season, as well. Poole has bounce-back potential, but he also has four years worth $128 million left on his deal. So, how do the Warriors extract value out of Poole trade? It’s simple. They take on another negative asset.
Ben Simmons did not play after the All-Star break due to a back injury. After trading away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets are entering a rebuild, and Simmons might not be in their future plans. However, they are in a similar situation as the Warriors. Simmons has two years worth $78.2 million left on his deal, and teams will not want to take on that contract.
In this scenario, the Nets acquire Poole, who is both younger and a safer bet to be in the lineup. They also acquire Gary Payton II, who has to be included for salary purposes.
Meanwhile, the Warriors shed the final two years of the Poole contract. They also acquire draft capital, and they can take a flier on Simmons. The former All-NBA selection would be a perfect fit for Golden State, if healthy and able to recover some of what he was at his best with the 76ers.
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