Warriors Still Have a Contract Decision to Make With Brandin Podziemski

This offseason, the NBA has started to see players from the 2023 draft class get their rookie extensions, but there are still some with questions about whether or not they will receive one from the team that drafted them. 

One of those players who has some uncertainty surrounding a rookie contract extension is Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. Podziemski is going into a season where there will be some opportunities that will open up for him thanks to injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. 

The Warriors will need elevated offensive production alongside Steph Curry next season, and the hope is that Brandin Podziemski can have the breakout season many have been waiting for from him. 

Last season, Podziemski had his best season in terms of scoring, as he finished averaging 13.8 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Statistically, he has had steady growth every season, and this could be the year things change for the better because of the amount of opportunities that will be placed in front of him. 

A big season from Brandin Podziemski is also needed because the Warriors lack overall young talent depth on their roster. This summer, the franchise drafted forward Yaxel Lendeborg out of Michigan with the 11th overall pick, and while he is a promising prospect, he will be 24 by the time the season starts, making him an older rookie. 

The Warriors know their days with Steve Kerr as the head coach, alongside Draymond Green and Steph Curry, are numbered now, and the goal for this franchise is to find the next core that can bring the organization back to championship status. 

Golden State had previously relied on the draft to build their roster to be championship contenders, as players like Curry, Green, and Moses Moody were all homegrown talent. Just recently, the franchise has been more aggressive in free agency as they look to stay afloat with Curry on the roster. 

Having Podziemski take on a bigger role would allow the Warriors to have some continuity on their roster moving forward. With a career year in 2026-2027, he could see the payday other players his age have been seeing since the summer.