The Washington Wizards are in an ongoing rebuild, and their commitment to point guard Jordan Poole is questionable, at best. After finishing dead last in the standings this season (18-64), it's clear they are on a negative trajectory with a need to use whatever assets they have left to build toward the future. As the NBA draft approaches, there are doubts that Jordan Poole will be a part of that future.
At 25 years old with serious focus and maturity issues, Poole's role has seen a gradual decline for the Wizards, even though he had the best statistical season of his career with averages of 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 43.2% shooting. Due to some of his more glaring flaws, and the fact that set to make $65.9 million over the next two seasons, trade interest in Poole is low across the league, but he's still a championship player who could contribute to the right team.
The biggest question now is how much Poole is worth. With so much activity on the trade market this year, it's impossible to predict where Poole will end up or if the Wizards will trade him at all. Still, several teams stand the most to gain from a Poole trade, and many of them have the assets to make a move that will add him to their roster.
Heat Take A Risk With Jordan Poole
Proposed Trade Details
Heat Receive: Jordan Poole
Wizards Receive: Terry Rozier, Haywood Highsmith, 2029 first-round pick
Following the Jimmy Butler trade fiasco, the Miami Heat have been stuck in NBA purgatory -- not good enough to compete for a title but not bad enough to qualify for a high lottery pick. With Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the Heat have the building blocks of a great offensive team, but they'll need another piece to help them get over the edge.
Poole, for all his problems, is a proven scorer, and he'd provide a much-needed boost in the backcourt with his elite shooting and isolation scoring. Plus, under the influence of the Heat's legendary championship culture, there is reason to believe that Poole could thrive in Miami as he helps them rise back to prominence in the East. After a 10th-place finish this season, they'll be eager for better results in 2026, and Poole may help them get it.
In return, they can send back two high-quality role-players, including Terry Rozier, who has already played in Charlotte before. The real prize for the Wizards is that future first-round pick, which could translate into something good if the current trajectory continues.
Hornets Build Elite Young Backcourt
Proposed Trade Details
Hornets Receive: Jordan Poole
Wizards Receive: Grant Williams, Josh Green, 2030 first-round pick
The LaMelo Ball rumblings have been heating up of late, but the Hornets have shown no signs of giving up on their franchise point guard. Instead, it's possible they could go the other way by trading their assets to build up the team around him.
Poole in Charlotte would give him another fresh start without any added pressure to dominate or win a lot of games out of the gate. Alongside LaMelo Ball, the team's backcourt would be elite offensively with an abundance of shot-making and ball movement on the perimeter. With Mikal Bridges and Brandon Miller on the rise, it could be enough for the Hornets to make some serious waves in the East.
In this trade, the Wizards would lose Poole for a pick and a package of solid wing players. With Grant Williams and Josh Green, they have some depth to help fill out the roster and support their budding young core that includes promising prospects such as Alex Sarr, Justin Champagnie, and Bilal Coulibaly.
Bulls Start A Fresh Rebuild
Proposed Trade Details
Bulls Receive: Jordan Poole
Wizards Receive: Lonzo Ball, Matas Buzelis, 2030 first-round pick
In Chicago, the situation is tense right now as the franchise teeters on a series of major changes. Following years of failed seasons, fans are desperate for a true rebuild that will set the franchise back on track. While Jordan Poole alone is far from enough to change their situation, his arrival could lead to better days next season.
As a young sharpshooter and NBA champion, Jordan could help usher in a new era for the Bulls, one that hopefully restores a sense of respect and honor for the once-great franchise. Alongside players like Patrick Williams, Coby White, and Josh Giddey, Poole could thrive in the backcourt as he provides the Bulls with a much-needed spark from three-point range.
In exchange, the Wizards get a veteran two-way guard in Lonzo Ball to help mentor and guide their current cast of youngsters. Between Ball, Buzelis, and another first-rounder, Washington could have a great start to their rebuild this summer and begin to finally work their way out of NBA poverty.
Blockbuster Deal With Trail Blazers
Proposed Trade Details
Trail Blazers Receive: Jordan Poole
Wizards Receive: Anfernee Simons, Kris Murray, 2031 second-round pick
The word on the street is that the Trail Blazers have made Anfernee Simons available in trade talks, and he could be the perfect replacement for Poole in the backcourt. As a young and versatile guard, his small frame, quick shot, and consistent shooting have made him the envy of teams across the league, and you can bet he'll attract a lot of attention if Portland is open to listening to offers.
With averages of 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game this season, Anfernee emerged as one of Portland's best and most consistent scorers. More impressively, he was 17th in the league in total three-pointers made with 215 during the 2024-25 season. As a cheaper and arguably more consistent scoring option, Simons would be more than acceptable in a package for Poole, especially along with Kris Murray and a future second-round pick.
In Portland, Poole would get to play alongside a solid frontcourt rotation in Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, and veteran forward Jerami Grant. The Blazers are exactly the kind of quiet, low-pressure environment that Poole needs right now, and he'd have a leading role there as an older mentor to young point guard Scoot Henderson.
At this point, it's impossible to say what will happen with Poole and the Wizards this summer, but a breakup is likely given everything that we've been hearing leading up to the offseason. What happens over the next few months could very well determine the trajectory of the rest of Poole's career, and his arrival may be the factor that helps a struggling team finally turn their situation around.
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