The other returners: On Jordan Poole’s homecoming, Ryan Rollins.

The other returners: On Jordan Poole’s homecoming, Ryan Rollins, Patrick Baldwin Jr. reflect on getting traded from Warriors

The other returners: On Jordan Poole’s homecoming, Ryan Rollins, Patrick Baldwin Jr. reflect on getting traded from Warriors SAN

FRANCISCO: Neither, unlike Jordan Poole, has won a championship. Neither scored 20 points a game on average, excelled in the

postseason, or made headlines around the country like Poole did. Their identities were omitted from the first reports, and when the

transfer was completed last summer, they were practically forgotten.

the Wizards for Chris Paul in a franchise-shifting move. Each learned, a year into their NBA careers,

the lesson so many players learn: what it’s like to get traded.

“I knew before I even got traded that this is a business,” Rollins told this news organization from his visitor’s locker.

“It just confirmed that for me.”

Both Rollins and Baldwin Jr. got recalled from the G-League ahead of Friday’s Warriors-Wizards tilt.

The 21-year-olds haven’t been in Washington’s regular rotation, but had the fortune of returning to their old arena anyway.

Golden State traded Poole on June 22, giving up on the promising guard while in the same breath doubling down on their veteran

core. Poole was pivotal in the 2022 playoffs, helping the Warriors to their fourth title, but struggled the next season — a season that

began by getting punched by teammate Draymond Green in the face during training camp.

The Warriors also sent a heavily protected future first round pick, a 2027 second rounder and cash considerations to Washington.

Rollins found out he was included in the Poole-Paul swap from his agent, he said.

“It caught me off guard, for sure,” Rollins, who has played eight games as a Wizard, said.

The guard spent most of his rookie year as a Warriors with the G-League Santa Cruz Warriors, so he never made the trip to play the

Wizards. He initially thought the Wizards play in Washington State, not the nation’s capital,

and was relieved to discover his mistake.

Both Rollins and Baldwin Jr. were excited to see their former coaches and staff members. Rollins added that it was nice to catch up

with Chase Center ushers and chapel employees.

Baldwin Jr. singled out Golden State assistant coach Kris Weems, who is tight with Baldwin’s father.

Baldwin Jr. said of Weems, “He was imperative last year with my development, pretty much my day-to-day around the program.” It

was nice to see him after we had a lengthy conversation. He had recently been moved to the front of the bench.

discussed him and his family.

Baldwin Jr. also got to meet Brandin Podziemski, a rookie for the Warriors who grew up playing AAU basketball

with him outside of Milwaukee.