Isaiah Thomas Unpacks Warriors’ Costly Decisions: The Poole Problem & Butler Bet
The Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crucial juncture, navigating a challenging season while aiming to maximize the championship window of their superstar, Stephen Curry. With a middling 15-15 record, their playoff hopes hang precariously, fueling speculation and debate about their roster moves. While whispers of a blockbuster trade for a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo persist, a more immediate question looms: How did the Warriors arrive at this crossroads, and what is their path forward?
Former Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas recently offered a candid take on the Warriors’ struggles during his Point Game podcast with C.J. Toledano. His primary contention? The team might have avoided some of its current woes if they had held onto dynamic guard Jordan Poole.
Isaiah Thomas on the Jordan Poole Regret
“Same player, same type of player. Like I think that was a bad decision to let him go. Jordan Poole, in that style of play, he was doing what Curry was doing, not on a night-to-night basis as consistent as Curry, but you seen flashes of like, dang, if Curry is not having it, or if Curry’s hurt, he can really make up for what Curry is doing,” said Thomas. “He was doing what Curry was doing.”
Thomas’s insights highlight a sentiment shared by many observers: the Warriors underestimated Poole’s potential as a valuable offensive weapon and a crucial insurance policy for Stephen Curry. During his tenure, Poole showcased significant growth, evolving from a raw rookie to a potent scorer who could erupt for points, mirroring Curry’s offensive style in flashes. Fans often recall his special moments with the Warriors, particularly during their championship run, where Jordan Poole’s stats often surprised.
The Rise and Fall of Jordan Poole with the Warriors
Jordan Poole’s trajectory with Golden State was remarkable. After a solid backup performance in his early seasons, he blossomed into a reliable scoring option, averaging an impressive 20.4 points per game in his fourth year. He consistently knocked down three-pointers, even with the “Splash Brothers” at their peak, proving his offensive versatility. However, the infamous altercation with teammate Draymond Green reportedly fractured team chemistry and marked a turning point in his Warriors career.
The Chris Paul & Jimmy Butler Trades: A Costly Pivot?
In a move that surprised many, the Warriors traded Poole, along with a protected 2030 first-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder, to acquire veteran point guard Chris Paul. While the official narrative often cited financial flexibility and addressing chemistry concerns post-Green altercation, the long-term financial implications have become a point of contention.
Initially, shedding Poole’s four-year, $128 million contract seemed like a way to manage their luxury tax bill. Yet, the situation grew more complex with the subsequent acquisition of All-Star forward Jimmy Butler. Butler signed a new two-year, $121 million deal through the 2026-27 season after being traded to Golden State. When factoring in his $48 million earnings from the previous season, the Warriors have committed a significant fortune to bring and retain him. Ironically, Poole’s original contract also ran through 2026-27, meaning the Dubs invested a comparable amount in an older star who, according to some analysts, hasn’t fully lived up to expectations in their system.
Butler’s Fit and Gilbert Arenas’s Critique
While Jimmy Butler remains an undisputed star and a formidable playoff performer, his integration into the Warriors’ free-flowing offense has been questioned. Critics, including former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, argue that Butler’s passive style hasn’t complemented the team’s needs.
“Jimmy, if you’re going to play like that, I will bring you off the bench,” Arenas stated on his podcast. “You’re not a bench guy, but how you’re playing this game, on this team, this is not Miami. I don’t have a Herro and a Bam. You have to be one of those…You have to be Klay. You have to be KD. You have to be Jimmy in the playoffs. You can’t be Draymond Green because if you got two Draymonds out there, who you passing to? Post? What Post gon’ do?”
Arenas’s blunt assessment underscores a fundamental issue: the Warriors need aggressive scoring and playmaking alongside Curry, not another facilitator or defensive anchor. While Poole was perhaps “gun-shy” at times, he offered a scoring punch that Butler, in his current Warriors role, hasn’t consistently provided. It’s a stark contrast to the dynamic, often daring, offensive player Jordan Poole could be.
Moving Forward: A Dynasty’s Last Chapters?
While the decision to trade Jordan Poole had its complexities, including the chemistry fallout from the Green incident, it’s hard to ignore the sentiment that the Warriors might be in a stronger position today had they retained him. As coach Steve Kerr himself has admitted, the Warriors’ dynasty is approaching its final chapters. The team now faces the daunting task of navigating this period, with crucial decisions ahead that will determine if they can reignite their championship aspirations before Stephen Curry’s prime concludes. The echoes of “what if” regarding Jordan Poole, amplified by voices like Isaiah Thomas, will likely continue to frame the discussion around the Golden State Warriors’ future.
