Jordan Poole Hits New Low in New Orleans as Trade Deadline Looms
Nearly three years after the Golden State Warriors made the bold decision to trade Jordan Poole, the move looks smarter by the day. Once a rising star with a championship ring and a massive contract to his name, Poole now finds himself on the outside looking in - completely out of the New Orleans Pelicans’ rotation just days before the trade deadline.
Poole has logged two straight DNP-CDs (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision), a striking development for a player making $31.9 million this season and owed $34 million next year. For a team like New Orleans - tied for the worst record in the Western Conference - to sideline a player with that kind of financial and on-court investment says a lot about where things stand.
It’s not just Poole feeling the squeeze. Fellow former Warrior Kevon Looney, who joined the Pelicans in free agency, has played just 15 minutes over the last 12 games.
The hope was that the duo could bring some of the chemistry and championship pedigree they built in Golden State to a young Pelicans squad. But that vision hasn’t materialized, and now both are watching from the bench.
What makes Poole’s situation especially puzzling is that it’s happening even with Dejounte Murray out due to injury. Rather than leaning on Poole’s experience and scoring ability, head coach James Borrego has shifted focus toward developing younger talent - most notably 2025’s seventh overall pick, Jeremiah Fears. The message is clear: the Pelicans are prioritizing their future, and right now, Poole isn’t part of it.
To be fair, Poole has had flashes. He dropped back-to-back 26-point games late last month and opened the New Year with a pair of 21-point outings.
But inconsistency and inefficiency have plagued him all season. Over his last three games before being benched, Poole shot just 11-of-36 from the field (30.6%).
And while he did post a positive plus-minus during that stretch, it wasn’t enough to outweigh the broader concerns about his fit and impact.
The optics aren’t great: a $128 million contract signed in 2022, and now a player struggling to get on the floor for a team at the bottom of the standings. It’s no surprise, then, that New Orleans is reportedly shopping Poole ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
But finding a taker won’t be easy. That contract looms large, and if Poole can’t carve out minutes on a rebuilding team, it raises tough questions about what role he can fill elsewhere.
Ironically, the Pelicans have looked sharper without him. They pulled off an upset win over the Spurs and gave the Thunder a run for their money in a single-digit loss - both games coming with Poole out of the rotation. That only adds fuel to the fire when it comes to trade talks.
The Warriors, meanwhile, have to feel a sense of validation. Moving on from Poole was a tough call at the time, especially after his breakout during their 2022 title run. But as his struggles continue in New Orleans, Golden State’s decision looks less like a gamble and more like a masterstroke.
Now the clock is ticking. Can the Pelicans find a team willing to take a chance on Poole’s upside before the deadline?
Or will they be left holding a hefty contract and an unhappy player with no clear role? One thing’s certain: Poole’s situation has become one of the more intriguing storylines to watch as the trade market heats up.