09 July 2023 , 20:05
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New Washington Wizards shooting guard Jordan Poole showed affection for Steph Curry and Klay Thompson during an interview with his new team but didn't mention Draymond Green.
Poole was traded to the Wizards this offseason when the Golden State Warriors acquired veteran Chris Paul, in a multi-team trade that also saw Bradley Beal head to the Phoenix Suns. Poole was one of the young talents on the team, but last season was masked by a reported fight between him and Green.
Footage was leaked of Green punching the 24-year-old as tensions flared, and both players have been hesitant to speak about the incident when asked. But Poole made his feelings clear about Green after moving to the Wizards, thanking Curry and Thompson and not Green.
Poole is excited for his new chapter with the Wizards, although he's leaving some close friends behind in Golden State. Curry and Thompson took Poole under their wing, and he's delighted with what he learned under their mentorship.
"Well those are the two greatest shooters of all time, in my opinion personally," Poole said in a recent interview at the Wizards' media day. "And it's just things that you learn in practice, in the game, on the road, that you wouldn't be able to not learn in the mix.
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"I'm thankful for that, grateful for that. You learn, you apply it to your skill set. Also built a relationship to ask them. I can text Steph. I can text Klay. I can call them and just have a conversation. That doesn't leave, that doesn't go anywhere. If anything, I just know the plays that they run."
It's been speculated that the issues between Poole and Green led to his eventual departure, with the locker room dynamic changing ever since. The Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs in the second round as they failed to defend their NBA championship, and changes have now been made.
Poole initially tried to stress that their season was not impacted by any drama, saying after their playoff defeat: "I mean, we made it to the second round of the playoffs. We had a good season, guys stepped up and had a lot of exciting moments. I don't think there was anything that was changing any of that."
Green entered free agency but re-signed with the Warriors, although the terms of the new agreement are yet to be released by the team. It was Poole that made way, and with Paul's experience the Warriors could challenge again next season.
Poole was asked about Green right after making the move to Washington, but once again deflected from speaking about it. "We're in Washington now," Poole said. "Playing with [Kyle Kuzma], great duo.
"Being able to really flourish, expand your game and help a new team. Help lead an entire group of guys, it's a challenge that we're up for. ...Everybody's locked in, wants to be here, start something that we can have that can be special."