Brandin Podziemski has his new contract. The Warriors guard received a five-year rookie-scale extension worth $110 million that runs through the 2031-32 season.
The final season is a mutual option, and the deal includes a trade kicker. A mutual option means the two sides could renegotiate that last year or part ways. Podziemski reportedly sought $20 million to $24 million per season, and the sides settled on about $22 million annually, matching the $110 million total over five years.
The timing was tight. Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy said the team was pleased to finish the extension before the deadline. Rookie-scale extensions have to be completed before the regular season starts, so the Warriors avoided carrying an unresolved contract situation into the year.
Podziemski gave them reasons to pay him. He was the only Warriors player, and one of 18 in the NBA, to play all 82 games last season. He posted career highs of 13.8 points per game and 45.5% shooting, along with 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 28.5 minutes a night. Dunleavy noted that he has kept improving and expanding his game since arriving as a mid-first-round pick. Durability matters on a team whose core has been dealing with age and injuries for years.
Coach Steve Kerr called the deal a win for both sides. He described Podziemski as a big part of the team’s future who also secures his own financial future, and said the numbers made sense for the Warriors. Podziemski framed it as a matter of trust. He said the extension shows the organization’s faith in him and that he owes that back to them. He backed it up on the court right away. In a 111-106 preseason win over Sacramento, he scored 18 points with three 3-pointers, seven rebounds, and four assists in 26 minutes.
The extension fits a broader shift in Golden State. The Warriors are trying to get the most out of Steph Curry’s final years while planning for what comes after. He will be a foundational piece for the team alongside rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Additionally, Podziemski will most likely start alongside Curry this season.
It’ll be interesting to see how Podziemski plays this season and if he continues to grow. If he does, then this deal will prove to be a bargain for the Warriors. However, if his progress stalls, the Warriors could end up in a sticky situation.
Leave a Reply