The promise of significant cap scape could turn the Golden State Warriors away from an extension with Brandin Podziemski this offseason, yet that could come back to bite the front office if the young guard can have a breakout fourth year.
Podziemski will have plenty of opportunity to take a big leap and earn a major pay day if he reaches restricted free agency, but creating a financial headache for the front office would actually be a great outcome if it reflects the 23-year-old’s development which is desperately needed as the Warriors eye a return to the playoffs.
Brandin Podziemski can create financial headache Warriors need
Many fans and analysts would scoff at the thought of Podziemski earning a deal that exceeds $20 million per year right now. In fact, many projections have him much closer to the three-year, $37.5 million deal that Moses Moody signed a couple of years ago. It’s hard to see him accepting a deal less than $15 million per year, but it would be equally unadvisable for Golden State to offer too much more.
But what if Podziemski finally explodes and becomes not just a $20 million per year player, but actually a $25-30 million player? That would seem highly unlikely, but it’s not completely out of the realms of possibility after he averaged 17.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists after the All-Star break last season.
With Jimmy Butler still likely to miss half the season recovering from his torn ACL, and with a veteran team where key members of their rotation will likely rest regularly, Podziemski should get the chance to put up similar numbers if he’s good enough. Should he post those numbers over a full year, and if the Warriors cause a surprise by rising into a top six team, suddenly Podziemski would at least have an argument to command $25+ million annually on his next deal.
Suddenly Golden State might need to use a bigger portion of their cap on Podziemski, rather than budgeting less than $20 million or even being open to letting the former 19th overall pick walk for further flexibility to chase an alternative target.
Warriors need major Brandin Podziemski leap this season
Having Podziemski develop into a $25-30 million player is just what the Warriors need to return to the playoffs, particularly after an underwhelming offseason where the front office failed to make any major additions and have prioritized bringing back a similar roster.
That leaves internal development as being all the more important among Golden State's younger players, with a major watch on the likes of Podziemski, 11th overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg and young forward Gui Santos come preseason.
Even if it creates a headache in restricted free agency next year, the Warriors will welcome a significant Podziemski leap after it hasn't quite consistently come over the last seasons since his rookie year.
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