The Washington Wizards are continuing their busy offseason.
The Wizards are sending 12-time All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for guard Jordan Poole, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Wizards will also receive a protected 2030 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick from Golden State in the deal.
Thursday’s trade comes hours before the 2023 NBA Draft and is the latest move for the Wizards, who are looking to retool their roster under new team president Michael Winger. Washington’s first big move was trading star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Paul, Landry Shamet and draft capital.
Around midnight Thursday, the team then sent ex-Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics in a three-team deal. The Wizards acquired guard Tyus Jones from Memphis and forwards Mike Muscala and Danilo Gallinari (another former Knick) along with a 2023 second-round pick from Boston.
Paul averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 assists per game with the Suns last season. But a groin injury kept him out of the final four games of Phoenix’s second-round playoff loss to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
The veteran guard will likely play behind star Stephen Curry and take a reserve role with the Warriors in his 19th season.
The five-time assist champion has an expiring $30 million dollar contract, which probably looks more appealing to the four years and $140 million left on Poole’s deal that he agreed to before the start of last season. The Warriors removed a big chunk of guaranteed money off their books and now will look to possible negations with forward Draymond Green, who is a key contributor to the team’s dynasty. Green declined his player option earlier this week and will test free agency.
Poole averaged a career-high in points (20.4) last season and that number could rise with him being the top scoring option in Washington. He also averaged 4.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 82 games with the Warriors last season.
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