Stephen Curry may be drawing the most contract headlines after becoming extension eligible on Saturday, but the Golden State Warriors will also have negotiations on a potential deal for Brandin Podziemski before the start of the season.
The Warriors' projected cap space next summer is already reason enough for them to avoid giving Podziemski an extension, and they've now been given another after he was left off a recent ranking of the league's top shooting guards.
Warriors given another reason to avoid Brandin Podziemski extension
HoopsHype's Frank Urbina listed the top 27 shooting guards ahead of opening night next month, but Podziemski was nowhere to be found despite a strong finish to last season where he averaged 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists after the All-Star break.
Podziemski was instead listed among the honorable mentions alongside Tre Johnson, Shaedon Sharpe and Aaron Wiggins. If Podziemski isn't among the top 27 shooting guards in the league, which essentially suggests he's not a starting level player on a good team, then Golden State would be well served not giving him an extension upwards of $18-20 million per year.
The 23-year-old may take some exception to his absence from the list, particularly when it features Anfernee Simons at 27 along with the likes of Christaun Braun (26) L.A. Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler (23), and Atlanta Hawks veteran CJ McCollum (22).
Nonetheless it's disappointing that Podziemski isn't even part of the top 20, particularly after he and the team spoke so openly about his desire for stardom after an excellent rookie year where he was All-Rookie First Team in 2024.
Warriors giving Brandin Podziemski an extension would be a mistake
Perhaps Golden State can point to this kind of ranking and Podziemski's borderline starter status to try and get a team-friendly extension completed, rather than the former 19th overall pick hitting restricted free agency next year.
But failing a deal that lands at less than $15 million annually, the Warriors would be making a mistake comitting to Podziemski this early when it would reduce their flexibility next summer where they're likely to have max cap space.
They'll still have the leverage that's given to incumbent teams in restricted free agency. There's the downside of Podziemski developing into a star and commanding $25-30+ million annually, but the chances of that seem remote based on the last two seasons.
The upside just isn't there for the Warriors to do a deal right now unless it's incredibly team-friendly, and Urbina's rankings further prove the front office should wait to see what this season brings before committing to the young guard.
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