Paul averaged 13.9 points and 8.9 assists per game last year, while shooting 37.5% from three-point line. By EPM, he ranked as the 42nd-best player in the NBA, better than every Warrior except Curry.
Additionally, he was 4th in assists, and 9th in steals. He also was 5th in MVP voting 13 months ago.
Poole was a disaster this past year. Messy on offense and instant liability on defense. Total Raptor was a 233 out of 250 players, which matched the eye test for me.
I wonder if that Raptors number is regular season or playoffs. I expect it is the playoffs because Poole was terrible in the playoffs.
Many GSW fans seem unhappy with the trade. Do not like CP3 due to past playoff clashes. Do not like trading a 24yo for a 38yo 6-0 PG. Do not like how injury prone CP3 is.
The fans that do like the trade like it mostly for the financial reasons. A smaller number like it because they view CP3 as an upgrade over Poole. A lot of them are probably quite down on Poole.
I am surprised by Poole's TS%. It was only 57% last year. A slightly below average mark. He was still a good ball-handler and passer so probably a positive on offense but likely not moving the line much on offense. And as some Warriors fans note, Poole was maybe the worst guard defender in the league last year so he was a large negative on defense making him a large negative overall (only marginal positive offense to counteract the bad D).
Poole had a 60% TS% the year prior. Caught fire in the playoffs with a 65% mark. Still that 60% combined with prolific scoring, prolific outside shooting, ball-handling, passing would make him a sizeable positive on offense. More than enough to counteract his bad D. Many GSW fans believe he can get back to that and last year was a down year rather than a sign of things to come.
After the initial shock, there are several positives that could come out of this, assuming Paul is assigned mainly to run the second unit
1. The non-Curry minutes were awful, and Poole led that unit. Now it's going to be Paul.
2. We now have an elite pair of Curry or Paul to lead the team for the entire 48 minutes.
I like that comment. That team did fall apart without Steph last year. CP3 will got a long way to allievating that.
Also comment that CP3 with reduced minutes as a better shot at staying healthy / avoiding injury. Fair comment.
This is reminded me of Bill Walton coming to the Celtics in 1985-86. Playing in that bench role for 15-20mpg and giving huge production / impact in short minutes. I can see CP3 having similar success for GSW.
It also improves our defense a lot. Paul is much, much, much better on D than Poole.
They also talk about Moody being a big beneficiary of playing with CP3. That CP3 will get him more good shots and make his life a lot easier. I agree.
Mixed responses to how well CP3 will help Kuminga. I don't think he will. CP3 has done well with low skill big men but I don't remember him doing well with low skill wings. He does well with floor spacing wings. That is why I like CP3 with Moody.
My other thought here is while there were zero rumors about the Warriors being linked to Porzingis, I'd have much preferred to have traded Poole/Rollins/Picks for Porzingis than Paul. Sure, KP asks for a max the following season.... but that's okay in a world where KP thrives and you can let Klay walk.
Ooh, interesting. Fair point.
Why didn't GSW go after Porzingis instead of CP3?
