Warriors sign Wiggins, Poole to long-term extensions

Forward Andrew Wiggins has signed a four-year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors, keeping a key starter for the defending champions around.

The team announced his signing on Saturday.

A first-time All-Star last season, the 27-year-old Wiggins reached the playoffs for just the second time in his eight-year career and often took on a tough defensive assignment in helping the Warriors capture their fourth championship in eight seasons.

He averaged 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.04 steals playing 31.9 minutes over 73 games and all starts to help lead the Warriors back to the playoffs after losing in the 2021 play-in round.

"Andrew has been a terrific fit for our team since his arrival in the Bay Area almost three years ago," general manager Bob Myers said. "His first ever championship last season earned him the admiration of many around the league and solidified his stature as an impactful two-way player in the NBA. We're excited that he'll be a part of our team for the next several years."

Golden State acquired Wiggins in a trade from Minnesota ahead of the deadline in February 2020 and he quickly found his way alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green — no longer needing to be the face of a franchise as he was with the Timberwolves. It wasn't until last season that Wiggins finally got to play with Klay Thompson, who missed more than 2 1/2 years with two serious injuries that required surgery.

The Warriors open the season with a ring ceremony and game with the Lakers at home Tuesday night.

Poole pact

Jordan Poole and the Warriors are finalizing a four-year, $140 million extension, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on Saturday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed. ESPN first reported the agreement.

Poole is entering his fourth season with the Warriors and has seen his numbers improve each season.

The shooting guard out of Michigan averaged 8.5 points on 33 percent shooting as a rookie, then averaged 12.0 points on 43 percent shooting in 2020-21 and increased his average again to 18.5 points on 45 percent shooting last season when he helped the Warriors win the NBA title.

Poole also made 211 3-pointers last season, the second-most on the Warriors behind all-time 3-point king Curry and tied for 15th-most in the NBA.

The extension will kick in for the 2023-24 season. Poole will make about $4 million this season.

The new deal also ends a tumultuous preseason for Poole and the Warriors.

Poole was punched by Warriors teammate Green during an altercation in practice on Oct 5.

Video of the incident was leaked to the TMZ website days later. Green took a few days away from the team and ultimately was fined, but returned to the club for the preseason finale and shared a pregame handshake with Poole before the last exhibition game on Friday night.

The Warriors didn't hide their anger with Green when the story broke, and also didn't hide their support for Poole — raving about what the 23-year-old has brought, and evidently will continue bringing, to the team.

"He's someone we're going to rely on for many years to come and that's exciting," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said earlier this week.

"We've got a lot of good young players, but Jordan is by far the most advanced."

Poole wound up averaging 17.0 points in the playoffs on 51% shooting. He was fourth in the NBA's most improved player balloting last season.

Agencies via Xinhua