After being benched, Jordan Poole is firing more shots. Why that's a good thing for Wizards
Jordan Poole's 2023-24 season with the Washington Wizards has been disappointing. He was expected to blossom into a top option on this rebuilding lottery team, but instead has seen his numbers slip.
Poole's points per game has dropped from 20.4 to 16 while his field-goal shooting has slid from 43 percent to 39.7. However, what's been truly concerning about Poole's production is that not only is his efficiency down this season, but so is his usage rate, dropping from 28.2 to 24.8.
He shied away from shooting amidst his struggles, perhaps a reflection of a lack of confidence. But that part of the trend changed this past week.
Poole was moved to the bench after the All-Star break, and in four games since, he has returned to being the high-volume shooter he is expected to be. The highlight of his week was an efficient 31-point performance against Cleveland, but in all four games, he's attempted no fewer than 17 shots.
This does include a 5-for-17 shooting performance against Golden State (his former team) and a 4-for-17 showing at Denver. If the Wizards — who are 9-49 and tied for the worst record in the NBA — were a team with any playoff aspirations, it would be extremely frustrating to have a player like Poole shooting so inconsistently. But since they are far from it, it's actually promising.
The only way Poole will improve is if he continues regaining his confidence. This is a player who was a top-three contributor on a championship-winning team two years ago, when he averaged 17 PPG on above 50 percent shooting during the playoffs for the Warriors at age 22. It's not like he just forgot how to play basketball.
The clear turning point in the trajectory of Poole's career was when he got punched by former Warriors teammate Draymond Green during a practice prior to the season following their title. That seemed to signal the beginning of the end of his time in Golden State, which led to his current status on the Wizards.
A combination of poor coaching, no veteran leadership, and the toll from lots and lots and lots of losing have likely contributed to Poole's play this season. Now, though, he's back in the same role he thrived in during the Warriors' 2022 title run, and he finally seems to be enjoying himself again.
Poole's hefty contract — $128 million over the next four years — makes him an unmovable liability if he continues playing the way he has for most of this season. But he's also still only 24, and if he can consistently rediscover the best version of himself, he can be one of the leaders of Washington's rebuild.
Poole can't be expected to put up an efficient 30-piece every night, and there will be games in which he struggles. But given that he's on a team that has nothing but patience right now, anytime he's creating opportunities for himself is a positive. So keep shooting, Jordan — it will slowly start coming back to you.
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