The Golden State Warriors reaffirmed their belief in Brandin Podziemski with a lucrative contract extension.
SAN FRANCISCO – The buzzy reaction to Brandin Podziemski’s five-year, $110 million contract extension was expected. Debate would rage, no matter the amount or length. Though no one publicly believes the Warriors underpaid, many believe they overpaid.
They paid what they believe is appropriate for who they are today and what they have become in recent years.
Podziemski is not a star and might never be. He’s a goodie-bag kind of player. His stats don’t pop, but he offers a lot of little things that can lead to wins. His extension is not outlandish for a 23-year-old that has spent his first four seasons facing frequent Dub Nation headwinds. Some of his immature comments have fans polarized, but this long-term commitment from the Warriors is blunt enough to tell everyone they are synchronized.
“We think Brandin is a hell of a young player, a big part of our future, and he secures his future financially,” coach Steve Kerr said Saturday before a 111-106 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings. “And it’s a deal that makes a lot of sense based on our numbers.”
The numbers/metrics on Podziemski clarify two factors. One, that he generally is beneficial to the Warriors. Two, they don’t view him worthy of such five-year mega-extensions as those signed by Houston’s Amen Thompson ($200 million) or his twin, Ausar ($155 million) in Detroit.
Golden State CEO Joe Lacob authorized the transaction that was negotiated between general manager Mike Dunleavy and Podziemski’s agent, Bill Duffy. To the doubters, the Warriors have a response: We Believe.
This extension also reaffirms that Golden State’s definition of success has changed from what it once was.
The championship-or-bust mentality faded after June 2019, when Klay Thompson sustained the first of two devastating injuries. That diminished the gifts that made him a five-time All-Star, snapped a streak of five consecutive trips to The Finals and, more to the point, ended the best backcourt combination in NBA history.
Stephen Curry and Thompson ignited spectacular scoring pyrotechnics but also perfectly complimented each other. On one end, Steph was a shoot-dribble-pass maestro, while Klay was the scariest spot-up shooter in the league. On the other end, Thompson’s dogged on-ball defense allowed Curry to float and hedge toward the passing lanes.
The Splash Brothers, at their peak, were a once-in-a-lifetime pairing. If Podziemski were a Warrior during those years, he would have watched from the far end of the bench.
Given where the Warriors are nowadays, Podziemski might be starting alongside Curry, resulting in a combo at least two levels below the incredible standard of prime Steph-Klay, destined for the Hall of Fame. Now? A very different time and place.
“We’ll have to figure out defensive matchups if they’re both starting,” Kerr said Friday when asked about a Curry-Podziemski backcourt. “We usually put Steph on a wing shooter to relieve him of pick-and-roll defense duties. And that either puts Brandin on the ball, or potentially Gui (Santos), or Yaxel (Lendeborg). Or maybe we’re starting somebody else.
“Yeah, we have to figure that out.”
The 2-guard position for the Warriors has fallen from plug-and-play Klay to hope and pray someone can capably support Steph.
Podziemski is two inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter than prime Klay. Thompson was quicker, with a wingspan four inches longer. BP concedes that defense is going to be an issue, and this was visible again Saturday night when he routinely got traffic-cone treatment from Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr.
To be fair, Acuff, shifty and determined, was no easier on De’Anthony Melton, the veteran known for his two-way ability and the other primary candidate to alongside Curry.
One day before Podziemski signed his extension, I asked him about the challenges of playing alongside Curry, specifically on the defensive end.
“Anybody that plays with Steph, you got to be able to guard the ball,” Podziemski said. “So that’s kind of been my priority first two (preseason) games. I think over time, everything played not supposed to.
Podziemski then took a moment to elaborate.
“It’s not just the individual who is next to Steph,” he said. “Having the size at the wing position and the frontcourt a little bit more helps, because it allows either Draymond (Green) or Yaxel to guard like a bigger wing like a Luka (Dončić). And that allows me to guard like an Austin Reaves.
“So, it depends on matchups night to night. But just understanding what the other team is trying to get out of that player and just taking away that.”
Melton’s scoring/defending skills might be superior, but he lacks the overall impact of Podziemski, whose goodie bag includes such tricks as taking charges and finding more rebounds than his size dictates.
Podziemski got a fair deal. He is, like most others, a solid player with obvious shortcomings. The Warriors believe. To a point.
“It shows the sign of faith and trust from their end wanting me here,” Podziemski said after posting 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists against the Kings. “I just owe it right back to them. They’re putting the trust and faith in me, so I’ve got do the same and play that way each and every night.”
Podziemski will have generational wealth, however, his deal could pale in comparison to what Lendeborg might command when he’s eligible to extend in 2029. If he becomes the player the Warriors visualize, he’ll be identified as a cornerstone of a burgeoning contender – with an extension more than doubling that which Podziemski signed.
Because it would allow the Warriors to regain their old definition of success.