Draymond Green, Warriors
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(L-R) Draymond Green #23 and Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors walk to the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on October 25, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 134-105. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The fight between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole permanently altered the course of the Golden State Warriors franchise. As the effects from that event remain to this day, rumors have surfaced about what the two said to another prior to the fight.
The viral social media post that spread the rumors alleged that head coach Steve Kerr told Poole to “stand up for himself” after Green challenged him in practice during 2022 training camp. According to the story, Poole allegedly responded by calling Green an “you’re an expensive backpack for 30,” directly referring to Stephen Curry and the star guard’s jersey number. The rumor heavily implied that this remark provoked Green to punch Poole, which was later leaked on video.
Green caught wind of the rumors as he set the record straight on social media. He responded to the post with six cap emojis on Threads, denying he and Poole said any of the sort.
Draymond calls cap on rumors about how things transpired leading up to his altercation with Jordan Poole. pic.twitter.com/Rcq6vP2uVj
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) August 26, 2025
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What’s Next For Draymond Green, Warriors
Draymond Green, Warriors
GettyDraymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
It was important for Draymond Green to have a clear and direct response to the alleged rumor about him and Jordan Poole.
Despite the controversial fight, Poole was teammates with Green from 2019 to 2023 during his first years in the NBA. He started out as a young guard with plenty of room for improvement, then bloomed into a solid starter and potent sixth man off the bench.
Poole’s rise in the rotation, alongside having a healthy star core, helped the Warriors return to title contention. He performed at a high level, averaging 17 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He shot 50.8% from the field, including 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 91.5% from the free-throw line.
His incredible highlights in the 2021-22 regular season and postseason had a direct impact on the Warriors winning the title. He lit up opponents with his scoring and shooting ability, something that could have allowed him to be the next man up after Stephen Curry.
However, the fight with Green changed his career forever. Poole did not have the same form the following season, becoming less efficient and inconsistent with his production. This ultimately affected the team’s chemistry in the 2022-23 campaign. It prevented them from defending their title, which resulted in his time with the franchise ending that offseason.
Green has since come out about that incident. He publicly apologized to Poole for his actions and realizing the consequences that transpired from that event.
The Warriors remain talented with their veteran star core of Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler III. However, their lack of depth remains a huge long-term concern, especially after trading Poole to the Washington Wizards in 2023.
While the team boasts experience up top, the rest of the roster has plenty of question marks. That probably would not have been the case if Green and Poole never fought on that fated day.