He’s back! Hello, No. 3 champion Poole! Making a push for the Western Conference playoffs

A familiar number.

Sorry, I posted the wrong picture.

Yes,Poole, who will play for the Pelicans this season, will once again don the No. 3 jersey. In his previous two seasons with the Wizards (23-25), Poole wore No. 13, initially expected to be the next Harden but ultimately was not.

During his four seasons with the Warriors (19-23), Poole wore No. 3 and helped the team win the championship in the 21-22 season. He averaged 18.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in the regular season, and 17 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the playoffs, making a significant impact.

In the summer of 2023, the Warriors traded Poole, Rollins, a 2030 protected first-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Paul; this summer, the Wizards sent Poole, Saddiq Bey, and the 40th pick in this year’s draft to the Pelicans in exchange for CJ McCollum, Olynyk, and a future second-round pick.

Last season with the Wizards, Poole averaged 20.5 points, 3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the regular season, shooting 37.8% from the field and making 3.5 three-pointers per game. His current contract expires in summer 2027, with salaries of $31.85 million and $34.04 million over the next two seasons.

As for Looney, also a former Warriors champion and three-time title-winning center, he signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans this summer and will wear No. 55 since No. 5 has already been taken by Murray.

Speaking of Murray, according to insider Shams, he is expected to return early next yearafter playing only 31 games last season for the Pelicans, averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 2 steals per game, with shooting percentages of 39.3% and 29.9%.

Whether it’s bad luck with the Pelicans’ environment or just pure misfortune for Murray, he suffered a left-hand fracture in the season opener last October and then a torn Achilles in February—two major injuries in just a few months. It’s absurd how unlucky he’s been.

Clearly, the Pelicans have a talented and deep roster for the new season, with at least a chance to compete for a play-in spot, but the key is staying healthy. Otherwise, all efforts will be in vain, especially hoping that Zion, now leaner, finally sheds his “glass man” label!