ESPN's Sham Charania reported that "Three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option after clearing waivers."
Beal's buyout confirms that Beal's 5-year, $251 million supermax extension signed back in the 2022 offseason was the worst contract in the NBA last season. But now that he's been bought out, that contract no longer exists, leaving many wondering what the new worst contract in the league is. Many names have been mentioned, but one I'm seeing a lot of is the Pelicans' new guard, Jordan Poole.
Seeing 'Poole' and 'worst contract' in the same sentence is hurting my head. Poole will earn roughly $31 million and then $34 million over the next two seasons, which for a 26-year-old guard coming off a career year is rather impressive.
If you ask anyone around the league, they would rather have 35-year-old Paul George at roughly $51 million next season or 26-year-old Jordan Poole at approximately $31 million next season. We all know what their answer will be.
Many people have built up the idea that Poole is an inefficient scoring guard whose play style doesn't help winning, largely due to the disastrous nature of his first year with the Wizards. However, he bounced back big time last season, which should change the way people view his pay and play.
The numbers have Poole's back
Poole averaged 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in just 29.4 minutes per game during the 2024-25 season. While these numbers are solid, many may still feel that upwards of $30 million per season for 20 points per game is an overpay. However, it's important to remember that in 2025, $30 million is the price that quality role players are demanding. This makes Poole's contract more of a steal than an overpay.
Outside of counting stats, Poole really excelled as a shooter this past season. He ranked in the top five in threes attempted per game (9.1) and shot a strong 37.8% from beyond the arc. This type of volume and efficiency puts him in conversations with some of the league's best shooters.
Additionally, he has championship experience from his time with the Warriors. During Golden State's run to the NBA finals back in 2022, Poole was the ultimate offensive spark off the bench. If it weren't for him, Golden State may have never beaten Boston to capture their 7th NBA championship.
Many want to point the finger at Jordan Poole as the new worst contract in the NBA, following Bradley Beal's buyout by the Suns. That said, those same people will be the ones singing Poole's praises after he has an explosive 2025-26 season in New Orleans.