Jordan Poole eyes Warriors return, Draymond Green is in

Poole was back at Chase Center with New Orleans on Monday, and when a reporter asked whether he'd ever return to Golden State, he didn't dodge it.

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Reporter: “Like if there was a situation where you ever had a chance to come back here, would you?” Jordan Poole: “Yes… it feels like home.” 👀 (via @joseph_dycus)

The night itself was ugly for him. The Warriors beat the Pelicans 138-87, which was Golden State's 8th straight win. Poole is in his 2nd season in New Orleans, and that team is going nowhere. He also told reporters the way he plays fits how he used to play in Golden State. That doesn't sound like a guy being polite to his old fan base. It sounds like he's pitching himself.

There's a real reason he'd bring it up now. This is the last year of Poole's deal, and he becomes a free agent after the 2026-27 season. Since Golden State traded him to Washington for Chris Paul in 2023, he's played for 5 coaches in 4 years. He hasn't been the same player since he was a key part of the 2022 title team.

The only question that ever mattered for a reunion was Draymond, and Draymond answered it.

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Draymond Green says he’d welcome Jordan Poole back with open arms: “That would be incredible. That’s one of the things I look back in my career and just kind of… I have no issue with that at all. I will never stand in the way… the issue will never be me.” (via @joseph_dycus)

Remember why that quote matters. Green punched Poole at practice on Oct. 5, 2022, and the leaked video blew up the locker room the year after they won a title together. Poole was gone 9 months later. Green has owned it, and he called it an issue he messed up on. He also told The Standard he has buried the hatchet and that a reunion would be the Warriors' decision, not his. Saying that out loud, unprompted by any actual trade talk, goes further than anybody expected.

The twist is that Green is on an expiring contract too. When he says he'll never stand in the way of the Warriors improving, part of that is just Draymond being honest about where he stands. A team on an 8-game run doesn't owe either guy anything. Steve Kerr's team is rolling right now without Poole.

For now this is 2 guys being nice to each other after a blowout. The real test comes next summer, when Poole is a free agent and Golden State has to decide whether a 4-team journey ends where it started. If it does, Draymond won't be the one standing in the doorway.