Among the Golden State Warriors' myriad offseason dominoes, a potential extension for Brandin Podziemski doesn't seem to have gotten much attention—at least in the short-term.
Of course, Podziemski will need to either be extended or traded eventually. But as the Warriors continue to sort out the remainder of their roster, there hasn't been much buzz about the two parties coming to an agreement ahead of the final season of the guard's deal.
This is likely the right move. Although Podziemski put up solid numbers on an elevated workload in the absence of Stephen Curry late last season—averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 38% from beyond the arc across his final 24 games—there are still enough inconsistencies in his skill set to have doubts about his ability to replicate that over the length of a full campaign.
By waiting until next offseason to negotiate an extension with Podziemski, Golden State can insulate itself against a major drop-off in 2026-27.
But if Podziemski is able to fend off De'Anthony Melton for the starting spot alongside Curry in the backcourt and continue to hit his shots efficiently, the Warriors could soon be left footing the bill.
Brandin Podziemski shouldn't be extended this offseason, but he has the chance to make the Warriors regret it in 2026-27
Podziemski has shown flashes, to this point in his career, as a secondary scorer and connective passer. But he hasn't consistently been able to put it all together.
There have been long stretches where he's been highly inefficient with the ball in his hands, and his confidence can be notably shaken when he's unable to consistently create his own shot against opposing defenses. If the Warriors are going to offer him an extension, say, in the range of $22 million annually, they need him to prove this season that he's capable of more consistent play.
But he can't accomplish that from the bench. Although there was buzz around Melton potentially getting a payday elsewhere this offseason, his inconsistent play near the end of the last campaign ultimately led him back to Golden State on a two-year, $12.4 million deal with a player option. Melton will likely be looking to opt out from his deal again and capitalize on a more productive and fully healthy campaign in 2026-27.
His skill set as an on-ball defender makes him, in many ways, the better fit next to Curry in the starting lineup. If Podziemski is going to take the job (and hold onto it), he's going to need to do more than simply function as a peripheral scorer. He's going to need to cement himself as a real option for the Warriors offense, hitting both his perimeter and mid-range shots consistently and becoming more sure-handed with his passes.
If he's able to do that, Golden State could be stuck paying him even something north of the projected $22 million annually. Christian Braun (who's a less capable scorer than Podziemski but a much better defender) earned $25 million annually last offseason from the Denver Nuggets—a number that has handicapped that organization as they've tried to navigate free agency this time around.
The Warriors, therefore, have a tightrope to walk. Podziemski's contract saga stretching into next offseason feels inevitable, but the path is clearly there for the fourth-year guard to make them regret that decision.
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