Jordan Poole Teases Potential Return to Warriors Next Offseason

Jordan Poole had a quick answer when asked if he missed Golden State. “Hell yes. Obviously,” the former Warriors guard told reporters after returning to the Bay Area with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Poole went further when asked if he would consider playing for the Warriors again. He said he would, telling The San Francisco Standard’s Danny Emerman that Golden State still feels like home.

The comments came after the Warriors beat the Pelicans 138-87 on Monday for their eighth straight win.

Poole helped the Warriors win the 2022 championship before Golden State traded him to Washington in 2023 in the deal that brought Chris Paul to the Bay. He’s now in his second season with New Orleans and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

That timing gives some weight to a question that might otherwise come up only when a former player visits his old arena.

One of Poole’s more telling comments was about the style of play he missed. He said there was “nothing better than playing team ball,” a detail that helps explain the appeal beyond his affection for the Bay Area.

There’s an obvious basketball case for revisiting the fit. A guard who can pull up from deep and get into the lane can give Golden State another way to create a shot when an initial action stalls.

The attraction for Poole would be getting those opportunities in an offense where he can also play off the ball. Both sides would have to decide how much of each role makes sense now.

A reunion would also bring questions about how Poole’s first stint ended. Draymond Green punched Poole during a practice ahead of the 2022–23 season, and the Warriors traded Poole the following summer.

Emerman reported that Green left the door open when asked about a potential return after Monday’s game.

The Warriors would still have to weigh what they need in the backcourt, what they could offer and what role Poole would want. For Poole, the chance to play somewhere familiar would be one consideration alongside minutes, contract terms and how often he’d get to handle the ball. Those questions are easier to answer once both sides know what their rosters look like.

For now, the interest Poole expressed is the development. He could have stopped at saying he missed the Bay. Instead, with free agency ahead, he said he’d consider putting on a Warriors jersey again.