There was once again plenty of hype surrounding Brandin Podziemski during training camp for the Golden State Warriors, but that failed to translate to Sunday's preseason opener against the L.A. Clippers where the young guard shot just 2-of-10 from the floor.
There has nevertheless been a key update in Podziemski's contract situation in the hours after that performance, with NBA insider Marc Stein reporting that Podziemski and the Warriors are working towards a new deal before the October 19 deadline.
Brandin Podziemski contract situation gets key update
After signing Stephen Curry to a two year, $116 million extension that allows them to theoretically still have max cap space next offseason, there’s been some doubt on just how eager the Warriors would be to get something done with Podziemski when it would eat into that said cap space.
It does seem like they would like to get something done though to prevent Podziemski from hitting restricted free agency and the potential of a stalemate the likes of which we’ve seen with Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Duren in the past two offseasons.
"Word relayed toThe Stein Line this week is that both sides want to get a deal done ... but that is obviously dependent on beating the ticking clock," Stein reported.
Debate still reigns on what a Podziemski extension could look like. It will surely be more than the four-year, $60 million contract Pelle Larsson got with the Miami Heat, but will be far less than the five-year $157.5 million deal signed by Keyonte George in Utah.
Brandon Podziemski struggled in preseason opener against Clippers
The fourth-year guard hardly looked like a $20 million per year player on Sunday against the Clippers, finishing with only seven points on 2-of-10 shooting in the 104-101 defeat in Hawaii.
Podziemski epitomized Golden State's struggles during the first half, missing a number of jump-shots and even missing two from the free-throw line as the Warriors scored 43 points as a team through the first 24 minutes.
Podziemski will have no shortage of opportunity to bounce back from that performance and prove why he’s worth a deal close to $20 million per season. The Warriors have no less than five more preseason games to come, including a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers starting on Tuesday.
Podziemski looks to have earned the starting shooting guard role ahead of De'Anthony Melton to this point of preseason, something that might influence Golden State's decision-making when it comes to a contract extension for the former 19th overall pick.
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