Wizards thankful Jordan Poole did not get traded to Suns for Chris Paul

The Golden State Warriors had their eyes on Chris Paul from the onset of the off-season. In fact, the Suns trading Paul to the Warriors for Jordan Poole was an option. However, the Suns preferred Bradley Beal as the better player and fit, per John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

The Suns acquired Beal from the Washington Wizards in a trade that included Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd going to Phoenix. The Wizards acquired Paul, Landy Shamet, four first-round draft swaps, and six second-round draft picks from the Suns.

Golden State then shifted its focus to Washington for Chris Paul. Just before the draft, the two teams agreed on a trade. Paul landed in Golden State, after all. The Wizards got Poole, 2022 first-round draft pick Patrick Baldwin Jr., Ryan Rollins, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick.

Superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were part of the Suns’ contingent that recruited Beal, as he held a no-trade clause. Poole’s time in Golden State appeared over with the Warriors’ interest in re-signing Draymond Green this summer.

The dynamics of their infamous altercation were enough. But the Warriors needed to shed Poole’s $128 million, four-year contract extension to adhere to the new CBA rules surrounding the salary cap and luxury tax.

Phoenix becomes an NBA title contender with the addition of 11-year veteran Beal. The Warriors landed a 12-time All-Star in Paul that Golden State feels helps them maximize their championship window with stars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green.

Meanwhile, the Wizards also won. Its new super team front office was ready to move from Beal and his $251 million super-max contract he signed last summer and start its rebuild. Poole is nearly six years younger than Beal and will make $19.2 million less next season.

Jordan Poole may have been glad of the Suns’ balk as well. Now he gets a chance to be a star on his own in Washington. Playing in Phoenix would have led to him taking a back seat to Durant and Booker, much like he did in Golden State.

The Wizards also picked up a load of draft compensation between the two trades and young assets. Washington is definitely happy about how things played out.