When Jordan Poole was shipped out to the Washington Wizards, many fans claimed that he had lost his spark for basketball. If that were true, based on his appearance at the New Orleans Pelicans‘ 2025 Media Day, that spark seems to be returning.
A bright and giddy Poole talked to a bunch of reporters and shared his expectations for the upcoming NBA season. One thing he is looking forward to is his reunification with former Golden State Warriors teammate Kevon Looney, as the two new Pelicans make their debut in 2025-2026.
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As Warriors, they fought many battles together, with one battle resulting in a title. But other than winning together, Poole said he missed his chemistry with the big man, something he could not recreate with his Wizards teammates.
“I haven’t had a good screen in two years,” Jordan said jokingly to reporters.
Kevon brings championship pedigree
During the free agency period, the Pelicans signed Looney to a $16 million deal, ending his 10-year stint with the Warriors. In his last season with the team, Kevon averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds as one of the team’s main backup big men.
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The 6-foot-9 center will not only add height and a strong presence inside to the Pelicans but also provide three years of championship experience he gained at Golden State. Poole believes that New Orleans needs that veteran leadership to turn things around this upcoming NBA season.
“It’ll be dope,” JP said. “Playing with somebody who’s won a championship, obviously, you go through a long season and you just build the relationship in terms of just basketball and chemistry.”
With Looney’s addition, Poole further explained that he will be able to fully maximize his talents and strengths as a primary ball-handler and playmaker. He also added that the center’s value extends to the rest of the squad, from perimeter players getting space to young big men learning the tricks of the trade from Kevon.
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“For me personally, it’s a really big pickup just for how I play,” he said. “I think it’s huge for our team too, for the young guys, for DQ, for Missi, for opening the floor up for guys like Trey and Hawkins, Herb.”
Poole is with a team that wants to win
Poole, a former champion, joined the Pelicans in July as part of a three-team deal that involved the Houston Rockets. He averaged 20.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in the past season.
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After his trade, JP felt he had broken free from the shackles of a losing team that mustered only 18 victories in the 2024-2025 season, which was dead last in the Eastern Conference. However, New Orleans was no different, as the team only won 21 games.
Despite this fact, Jordan feels optimistic about this year’s roster and expresses his excitement with his transition to the team. With the return of a healthier Zion Williamson and a retooled lineup brimming with fresh young talent, New Orleans could be starting a hopeful do-over this season.
As someone who has reached and won in the finals, Poole said there is no better feeling than winning games. That’s precisely what he hopes to achieve with the Pelicans this year.
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“I think once you experience that, once you experience playing at the highest level, it’s a feeling that you want to replicate again,” he said. “I’m just ready to be invested with the team, be invested with the community, the crowd. Just have fun hooping again… It’ll just be fun to go out there and compete every night against a really tough Western Conference, and you know, try to win some games.”
Whether it’s because of Looney’s screens or the Pelicans’ winning games, everyone’s hoping Poole finds the joy for basketball he has lost since leaving Golden State. JP didn’t find it in Washington; perhaps it will be in New Orleans.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.