When the Warriors selected Jordan Poole out of Michigan with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, it was a bit of a surprise. By most draft experts, Poole was seen as a project, and so far through 2019, but the first quarter returns on the rookie have failed.
Poole’s best asset traits when drafted, were his confidence and shooting ability. Yet, in his rookie season, he’s struggled to see his shot fall, and his confidence has suffered because of it.
A month ago, Poole tied his season-high when he scored 20 points against the Miami Heat. The rookie was 5-of-6 from three-point range and was looking like he found his rhythm for the first time as a professional— since then, it’s hasn’t been as pleasant.
In 12-games since scoring 20 against the Heat, the 2019 first-rounder has combined to score 18 points total on 4-38 shooting from the field. Through the first two weeks of December, Poole was 0-16 from the field and 0-10 from beyond the arc.
To help restore Poole’s confidence, the Golden State Warriors have decided to send the rookie down to their G League affiliate in Santa Cruz. Steve Kerr said this was part of the team’s plan for Poole all along.
“Just a part of his development,” Kerr told reporters before the team tipped off against the Phoenix Suns. “We thought that would be part of it all along—When we drafted him, when we had him this summer, we figured there would be times we put him in the G League, and this seems like a good time to do so.”
Kerr said there’s no timetable for how long Poole will stick in the G League, but with the Warriors healthy at guard for one of the first times all season, it could be awhile.
“It’s just for an indefinite period,” said Kerr. “It could be for a couple games; it could be for a couple weeks. It just depends on how everything is going up here with us, and if we need him or not.”
“He’s going to play with us tonight then he’ll join them in Stockton tomorrow night.”
“It could be for a couple games or it could be for a couple weeks. It all just depends…”
Steve on their plans for Jordan Poole in the G League. pic.twitter.com/3QBIZuvX77
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 28, 2019
Poole’s career started with a bang after being thrust into heavy minutes at only 20-years of age, a stretch in the G League to build his confidence back up could be the best choice for his development in the long-run.