LAS VEGAS — The last thing Jordan Poole wanted to do Saturday afternoon was look back.

Save for a few moments of reflection on his four seasons with the Warriors, Poole spent most of the nearly 20 minutes of speaking with reporters at Summer League in the wake of him being traded to the Washington Wizards for Chris Paul looking ahead at what’s to come.

“This is stuff that you dream about as a kid, being able to be the face of a franchise, get people invested, get the city invested, get people to come out, come to the games,” Poole said.

Poole talked about building something special — a championship culture — in the nation’s capital, playing alongside Kyle Kuzma, who signed a four-year $90 million extension. He’ll also have some familiar faces joining him in Washington DC as Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins were also part of the Paul deal. Poole said he’s going to embrace the fresh start and was eager to be a leader, having watched Stephen Curry take charge of the locker room for the last four seasons.

But it was impossible to ignore the circumstances that brought Poole to this moment: The infamous preseason punch that tainted the Warriors’ once strong team culture.

Everything changed for the Warriors when Green punched Poole in the face and, days later, video of the chemistry-shattering and relationship-straining jab leaked to the public. Steve Kerr and Green both acknowledged after last season that the incident had caused a dark cloud to loom over their title defense.

Poole was asked whether he thought the punch impacted last season, but he didn’t share his thoughts on the past.

“I mean we’re in Washington now,” Poole said. “Playing with Kuz, great duo, being able to really flourish, expand your game and help a new team. Lead an entire group of guys, it’s a challenge that we’re up for. We got a new front office and there’s a lot of people invested in it. Everybody is locked in, wants to be here, start something that can be special.”

Poole learned a lot over the four years about himself and how to be a leader. He had to get through difficult times — like his 15-win rookie season and the G League bubble — before eventually reaping the rewards of his trials that came in the form of a four-year, $140 million contract extension.

As a rookie, Poole was lost on both ends of the floor as he struggled to adjust to the game’s speed and physicality. Then, the pandemic hit and changed everything for everyone.

Many had written Poole off entirely. But Poole’s supreme confidence and laser-sharp focus didn’t waver. Poole was the first Warriors player in the gym when it reopened amid the pandemic. He was determined to prove he belonged.

In his second season, Poole would be sent to the G League to refine every aspect of his game. The demotion admittedly crushed him a little bit. He didn’t feel like he needed to be there. But he put his head down and continued to grind.

Things changed in Year 3. Poole became an offensive force and went from averaging 12 points during the 2020-21 season to 18.5 points during the 2021-22 season. He tallied a dozen 30-point games, including two in the playoffs — 11 more than he had in his first two NBA seasons.

He was a vital piece in the Warriors’ run for their fourth title in eight years and established himself as a member of Kerr’s “foundational six.”

On a lot of NBA teams, Poole would’ve been a full-time starter. But that was never going to be an opportunity for him as long as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson were around.

“I take pride in being able to, not necessarily being a chameleon, but being able to adapt to whatever situation, whatever role,” Poole said. “My role fluctuated a lot over the course of the time, you find ways to be effective and make it work. So whatever the opportunity is presented, whatever is needed or called to do, I think I’ve shown that I’m able to do [whatever it takes.]”

Green’s action put a stain on Poole’s experience with the Warriors. It also didn’t help that he had a rocky season. His shooting efficiency took a hit as teams paid more attention to him on defense.

“It was good, got a ring, was able to do some life-changing stuff,” Poole said of his time with the Warriors. “Met a lot of amazing people, be able to learn what I did from there and apply it not only in real life but to the basketball court, it’s something that I look forward to doing.”

Poole is also looking forward to playing without limitations. He’ll be able to show off more of his crafty scoring and playmaking with the Wizards. He’ll be the main attraction there rather than a member of the supporting cast.

“The world knows the type of player I am, the electric player and the growth that I continue to have just over the course of the years, each and every year, finding a way to get better,” Poole said. “There will be more opportunities… it’s a different situation.”

As for how things were left with the Warriors?

“This is amazing energy, it’s a great new situation going on right now,” Poole said, again, straying away from the original question. “Kuz signing back, which is dope, we’re excited, the future of DC, we have a really good group of guys.”