Prior to last night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, it was revealed that the Washington Wizards had made a significant lineup change involving Jordan Poole. This marked Poole’s first game coming off the bench since joining the Wizards in the offseason. In his place, rookie forward Bilal Coulibaly was inserted into the starting lineup.
According to Wizards coach Brian Keefe, the decision to move Poole to the bench was a collaborative effort between the coaching staff and the front office, aimed at maximizing the team’s lineup combinations:
“In a lineup change intended to rejuvenate Poole’s performance and provide more playing time for rookie Bilal Coulibaly, interim coach Brian Keefe decided to transition Poole into a sixth-man role. This decision was made in consultation with the Wizards’ front office,” Keefe explained to reporters before the Wizards faced the Nuggets.
While Poole expressed his feelings about being benched, stating that he was not thrilled about it, he acknowledged it as an opportunity to contribute in a different capacity:
“If there’s any common sense, with the situation, you should know how I feel. But I’m just going to come out, do what I can do to help the team, keep it moving,” Poole said. “I’ve been a point guard the last three years of my career. I haven’t really played in my position all year, just kind of trying to figure that out. I mean, if this is a way to try to get me on ball, I guess that’s just what we have to do.
“But I feel like I’ve mentioned it, I’ve been a (point guard), I’ve been primary on-ball, I’ve been a facilitator, play-maker, as well as scoring. I feel like that’s kind of where I proved my game and how I play, played to my strengths, and it hasn’t been like that this year unfortunately. I’m just trying to get better in the other areas of the game.”
During the game against the Nuggets, Poole played for 30 minutes and scored 18 points while shooting 4-of-17 from the field. Additionally, he contributed one rebound, one assist, and two steals.
The decision to move Poole to the bench comes amidst a challenging season for the Wizards, who currently hold a record of 9-46. Despite his talent, Poole’s performance has not lived up to expectations, with his points per game averaging lower compared to his previous seasons with the Golden State Warriors. Additionally, his shooting statistics, including his free throw percentage, have declined.
With Poole’s contract extending until the 2026-27 season, the Wizards are committed to him despite his trade value being at a low point. Keefe views Poole’s new role as an opportunity for him to lead the second unit and showcase his skills:
“It’s really a positive. It’s actually a credit to Jordan, Jordan’s been one of our highest net ratings since I’ve taken over, and I just want to see more of that,” Keefe remarked before the game. “This gives him an opportunity now, being in that unit, to be the lead handler, lead decision-maker, and kind of be our offensive engine.”
It remains to be seen whether Poole’s bench role will be a long-term adjustment for the Wizards.
