Warriors CP3 Trade From Two Years Ago Looking Like Epic Failure

The Golden State Warriors made a bold trade two years ago. In the Summer of 2023. They traded Jordan Poole, Ryan Rollins, Patrick Baldwin, a second-round draft pick, and a top-20 protected first-round pick for Chris Paul. 

This was primarily a result of the Warriors needing to get rid of Poole, who, after getting punched in the face by Draymond Green, wasn’t able to rebuild his relationship with his teammates. The Warriors were hoping this trade could savor the loss of Poole while bringing in a veteran leader to help the Warriors' aging core contend. 

Chris Paul had a fine season with the Warriors, but they didn’t go anywhere in the playoffs, and they lost him the next season for nothing. 

Essentially, the Warriors gave up on Poole, Rollins, and Baldwin, all homegrown draft picks for a year of Chris Paul. At the time, that didn’t look horrible, but now, it’s looking like a terrible trade for the Warriors. 

After leaving the Warriors, Poole has continued to blossom into an offensive threat. He averaged a career high 20.5 points per game for the Washington Wizards last season and has remained a great outside shooter and playmaker. 

However, losing Poole isn’t what is hurting the Warriors right now. It’s actually Ryan Rollins, who is having a breakout year for the Bucks. Including getting his career high 32 points in a win against the Warriors last week, Rollins is averaging over 18 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds a game for the Bucks this year. 

If the Warriors had been more patient and held onto Poole and Rollins, would they be in a better position right now? It’s hard to say. What we do know is the Warriors didn’t get much out of that Chris Paul trade, and Poole and Rollins are helping their current teams in ways the Warriors should be watching. Sometimes patience pays off.