Jordan Poole Discusses Leadership and Future with Wizards

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jordan Poole is stepping into a new role as the face of the Washington Wizards in his second season with the franchise. After a standout tenure with the Golden State Warriors, where he won an NBA championship in 2022, Poole is embracing his leadership position on a struggling team that currently holds the NBA’s worst record.

Traded from Golden State to Washington on July 2, 2023, Poole has made a mark, averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game this season. Despite the Wizards’ challenges, he remains optimistic about the team’s future, emphasizing the need for patience as they rebuild.

“I’m coming from an organization where everything is under the spotlight. Like everything,” Poole told Andscape. “But the [opposing] players know me now. The [opposing] coaches definitely know me because of the way I’m seeing coverages throughout the course of the game. New environment, new situation. It’s only a matter of time before we put ourselves in that situation too, to be at the biggest stage as well. It’s what we’re grinding for.”

The Wizards have yet to reach the playoffs since 2021, and their current roster features several young players, including rookies Bub Carrington (19), Bilal Coulibaly (20), and A.J. Johnson (20). With promising talent, Poole believes the team’s trajectory can change if they remain focused and committed.

“The ceiling is high,” Poole said. “We got a lot of guys here who care, a lot of talented guys, and a lot of guys who just love to hoop. They’re on the court, going up against these matchups, and they’re learning in real time.”

Washington added two experienced veterans, Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton, prior to the trade deadline, which Poole cites as crucial for the development of the younger players. “We have to continue to learn from the veteran presence of Khris and Marcus and just continue to keep getting better and build our momentum,” he stated.

Addressing his personal growth since his arrival, Poole admitted, “It took a little bit” to acclimate to his new environment. He credits Wizards head coach Brian Keefe for placing him in a position that leverages his strengths. Under Keefe’s direction, Poole has been able to lead not only in scoring but also in assists.

“He just put me on ball. That’s pretty simple because I can be aggressive and score. But something underrated about my game is that I’m really a team player,” he explained.

Despite the scrutiny that comes with being a leader, Poole has embraced his role and addresses those early challenges head-on. He recalls a moment from a timeout last season, stating, “It’s my team. I got this,” which drew criticism at the time. Now, he understands it was part of a process. “Everything’s a matter of time. I know what I’m capable of. I know the time I put in. I know how this stuff works and how it pans out. It just takes a little bit of delayed gratification,” Poole said.

When discussing his personal interests, Poole shares his affection for animals, particularly cats. He currently has three and mentions the ease of caring for them due to his basketball schedule. “I just love animals. I’ve always had cats,” he said. “It’s less maintenance to take care of a cat than a dog.”

As he looks to the future, Poole remains hopeful, both for himself and the team, stating, “We’re in a really good situation right now. We’re playing some fun basketball. It’s something going to be more competitive, better as we go.”

Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape.