The Golden State Warriors made a big move at the start of the offseason, trading Jordan Poole for Chris Paul. The move is expected to help the Warriors in the 2023-24 season for a number of reasons. Paul is one of the oldest players in the league, but it's only a year since he was named an All-Star, named to the All-NBA Team and led the league in assists. While he may be an energetic and controversial player, it's nothing compared to Poole, who has already sparked locker room clashes with the Warriors.
Paul's addition has helped everyone on the Warriors. But in my opinion, there are six people who would benefit even more.
So in order. Start with the players I'm most looking forward to benefiting from Paul's arrival.
1. Jonathan Kuminga
Paul may be known for being tough on his teammates, but he also has many success stories in helping young players improve. Very similar to Kuminga is Paul's teammate Mikal Bridges in Phoenix... His skills have a lot in common with Kuminga.
Bridges averaged 15.5 points per game per 100 games while shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three-point range in the season before Paul joined the Suns. In Paul's first season, those numbers increased to 20.4, 54.3% and 42.5%, respectively.
That's largely because Bridges just entered the league. Bridges at the time, like Kuminga next season, is in his third year of career. Paul's playmaking skills opened up space for Bridges, who has super-athleticism, while also providing him with more three-point opportunities.
The same should happen with Kuminga, who will have a rapport with Paul, as they will likely be present at the same time in the second lineup. I'm excited to see what happens.
2. Moses Moody
Moody's may not benefit as much from Paul's arrival as Kuminga, who has a much more diverse offensive skill. On Paul's side, I will pay special attention to Moody's defense and fundamentals.
That's my implication and speculation, but Moody's response to the preseason incident between Poole and Draymond Green — in which Moody talked about how much he loved and respected Green — made me think he could receive strong leadership and rigorous guidance. These are basically synonymous with Paul.
I expect Paul to be tough on Moody, and I expect Moody to respond well and see his game continue to improve.
3. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green
I use two names here because they represent the same meaning. Curry and Green have been the main playmakers for the Warriors. Poole occasionally organizes the team to attack, but it doesn't work very well.
Paul's arrival not only brings a third playmaker to the Warriors, but it also provides them with a better playmaking core than Curry and Green. Last year, CP3 had the fourth highest number of assists per 100 (III rounds, behind James Harden, Nikolai Jokic and Trae Young.
This relieves Curry and Green of a lot of work off their shoulders. This also allows them to get more rest if needed. This makes it easier for Steve Kerr to find the right lineup. When Green's scoring black hole is a burden on the court, Paul steps up. When Curry's ball is suppressed and the Warriors want him to run without the ball, Paul will step up. Paul stepped up when the Warriors had consecutive turnovers, and he was one of the greatest point guards in NBA history to control turnovers.
4. Andrew Wiggins and/or Klay Thompson
Last year, the Warriors' second team had a very poor offense. Cole tried to put Wiggins in focus, but he wasn't the kind of player who should be the first choice. He tried Poole, but without success. He tried Thompson, but Thompson was unable to lead the team's offense.
Now Thompson or Wiggins — or both — can work with Paul in the second lineup without having to create the offense themselves. It also helps Paul, who is still a very good outside defender. Wiggins and Klay will no longer have to spend much energy defending opposing defenders.
5. Tres Jackson-Davis
If the Warriors' second-round pick this year can play their part on the court, he'll give them an interesting high-ball threat point. While Curry and Green's empty cuts are not bad, they are nothing compared to Paul, the mover behind the Clippers, who was once the city of empty catches.
It's uncertain whether Tres Jackson-Davis will win playing time, but as a 23-year-old senior, he at least has a good chance. If he did, he would surely be present at the same time as Paul, who could cleverly pass the precise highball that only Jackson Davis could receive.
6. Brandin Pozymsky
Pojemsky is probably best known for his shooting ability, and he's sure to learn from Curry and Thompson.
But the summer league was a reminder of how playmaker Podzyemsky possessed and how good he was at pitching in the free-throw area when he was in college. Unfortunately, the Summer League is also a reminder that Pojemsky's athleticism is below the NBA average.
I'm not sure I'd label Paul "lack athleticism," but you have to go far on his list of best basketball skills before you reach "speed," and you also have to go further before you reach "height" and you have to go farther to reach "jumping ability."
Paul has made hundreds of millions of dollars by skillfully surpassing players who are taller, faster, and more jumpy than him. If I were Podmsky, I would show up on the first day of training camp with a notebook and a couple of pens