NBA Draft 2019: 5 most surprising picks from draft night
2. Jordan Poole – No. 28 – Golden State Warriors
When Jordan Poole initially entered his name in the NBA Draft, there was uncertainty as to whether or not he would be drafted. After a strong pre-draft where he shot the ball really well, Poole was expected to be drafted but in the middle second round. So seeing the Warriors take him in the first round was a surprise.
Poole had an up-and-down sophomore season from Michigan but his three-point shooting was on display. He made 86 threes at a 37 percent clip.
After an NBA Finals where their depth was exposed and they lost Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant to injury, the Warriors desperately needed shooting. Poole certainly fills that role but it remains to be seen if he would have been available at 41 (the Warriors took another shooter there in Eric Paschall). They could have gone with a much higher-rated prospects like Kevin Porter Jr., Keldon Johnson or KZ Okpala, or a better shooter in Carsen Edwards. But the Warriors must have really liked what they saw in Poole.
The Milwaukee native should be able to come in and play right away for the Warriors. I actually believe he can be a contributor with his shooting, but it was still much earlier than I expected. Poole is hard-worker who has constantly gotten better, but his cool personality fits in with the Warriors and their style of play.