1 Floor, 1 realistic, 1 dream player comp for Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski
By Tyler Watts
The Golden State Warriors had an eventful Thursday. They pulled off the Chris Paul trade before the 2023 NBA Draft got going. Dumping Jordan Poole to land an all-time great point guard was shocking. The Dubs drafted Brandin Podziemski in the first round before trading Patrick Baldwin Jr. for the 57th pick and selecting Trayce Jacskon-Davis.
Golden State is focused on getting their finances in order, but there is more work to be done this offseason. They want to bring back Draymond Green. The Warriors are hoping he accepts a discount, but more cost-cutting could come if the 6’6 forward is unwilling.
Should fans be hyped about Podziemski? The 20-year-old is a 6’4 guard out of Santa Clara. General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. tampered down expectations, but what can fans expect from the lefty?
Floor comparison for Golden State Warriors wing Brandin Podziemski: Landry Shamet
Podziemski struggled to see the court at the University of Illinois before transferring to Santa Clara where he broke out. The 6’4 guard averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals in 36.0 minutes per game as he shot 48.3 percent from the field and 43.8 percent on his 3-point tries.
Shamet is a fellow 6’4 guard that took some time to blossom. He averaged 14.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 0.7 steals in his junior year at Wichita State on 48.9 percent shooting from the field and 44.2 percent on his threes.
The 26-year-old has played five NBA seasons and was just traded to his fifth team as Phoenix sent him to Washington in the Bradley Beal deal. He is a career 38.8 percent 3-point shooter, but he has averaged just 22.9 minutes per game because he struggles on the defensive end.
Shamet measured with a bit longer wingspan, but Podziemski is about 15 pounds heavier. The 20-year-old struggled to stay in front of quicker guards in college and he does not have the size to defend up. His defense could be problematic and severely limit his minutes in the NBA.
Brandin Podziemski should be a role player, but what is a realistic comparison for his career?