Steve Kerr will have some decisions to make when it comes to his starting lineup entering opening night in October, but one free agency decision doesn’t bode well for young guard Brandin Podziemski and his hopes of starting next to Stephen Curry in the backcourt.
The Warriors chose to bring back De’Anthony Melton on a new two-year, $12.4 million contract, identifying his fit alongside Curry in what many have viewed as a controversial move considering more offensive-minded options were available.
De’Anthony Melton return hints at Brandin Podziemski bench role
The starting shooting guard role will almost assuredly come down to Podziemski or Melton, both of who got significant opportunity late last season when Curry missed 27-straight games due to a worrisome knee injury.
Podziemski stood up and played relatively well down the stretch, further emphasizing the need for the 28-year-old to play alongside Curry and/or Jimmy Butler in order to be most effective.
"In early July, after internal discussion, they opted for a reunion with De'Anthony Melton over a pursuit of Anfernee Simons at a similar two-year, $11 million price point, believing Melton better fit a backcourt need next to Curry," ESPN's Anthony Slater reported at the end of last month.
If Golden State have made this free agency decision based on Melton’s fit with Curry, then surely Kerr has to start the pair together and bring Podziemski off the bench where he may be more suited to helping lead a non-Curry unit when the two-time MVP is off the floor.
This is where Podziemski’s far better form to finish last season may actually work against him, having proven he can produce without Curry after averaging 17.5 point, 6.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists after the All-Star break. Of course, Podziemski will still log big minutes and play considerable time next to Curry, but it might not be his ideal outcome entering a crucial fourth season.
Warriors may remain patient on Brandin Podziemski extension
Should Golden State have some uncertainty over whether Podziemski will start or not, it’s hard to envisage them giving him a significant contract extension that locks the young guard up as a critical part of their future before he hits restricted free agency.
The Warriors would be far better served waiting, gathering more on-court data, and seeing what role Podziemski truly fits into in a healthy rotation before giving him $18+ million per year. Waiting would also Golden State to preserve more of their projected cap space next offseason, while still having the leverage that comes for teams with restricted free agency.
While many have been quick to lock Podziemski into the starting role given their respective form to end last season, the whole philosophy of re-signing Melton would suggest that it’s he who actually has an edge ahead of training camp and preseason.
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