The Golden State Warriors are going through a roster change. After back-to-back disappointing seasons, the team needed a fresh look, and new GM Mike Dunleavy has done exactly that. Over two offseasons, the team has become a far cry from its 2022 NBA Championship core. Instead, it is deeper, with a far bigger emphasis on youth. However, it still appears to be a ways away from true NBA contention.
So far, the team has done a very good job rebuilding on the fly. Rather than go after big-name acquisitions, they built the roster with savvy veterans and role players. But, in a league still driven by stars, Golden State still has a dearth at the top. Beyond Stephen Curry, finding a single Warrior in any credible top-75 ranking would be hard.
That is where the Brandin Podziemski factor comes in. He was reportedly a player the Warriors were reluctant to include in a trade for an intriguing star player that could have been a great complement for the foundational players Golden State boasts.
Brandin Podziemski and what he represents
Due to moves made, previously or this offseason, very few game-changers remain on the market. Perhaps the biggest name still available as a viable trade piece was Lauri Markkanen before his contract extension. The former Chicago Bull has found his groove as a bonafide star with the Utah Jazz. Winning Most Improved Player and making an All-Star game, he has become a complimentary star on any team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors Updates
As it turns out, Danny Ainge and the Jazz are still in rebuilding mode, but Markkanen is not expendable. According to most reports, the Warriors were the closest to a done deal to the Finnish superstar. However, the only haggle is over the inclusion of Brandin Podziemski.
The 19th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was a wonderful surprise for a team whose legendary draft evaluation had recently taken a few hits. Despite his status as a rookie, Podz was phenomenal for significant stretches. Taking on the hole left by Jordan Poole, Brandin even took on starter duties throughout the year. With each passing day, his star continued to shine brighter. For the season, he would finish with averages of 9 points, nearly 6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists a game. Simultaneously, his defense was good to great, helping fill the void left by a declining Klay Thompson.
At just 21, Brandin is oozing with potential. Whether offense, defense, on-ball, or off-ball, his production continues to be spectacular. Further, for Warriors fans, it is a chance to salivate over a rookie prospect in quite some time, and rightfully so. The potential is clear, and with the legendary Golden State training regime, Podziemski could very well blossom into a star.
However, the Warriors still need to trade him.
Why the Warriors should have played ball?
As the name suggests, the Golden State Warriors hit the lottery with Stephen Curry in the NBA Draft. In the last 20 years, no player has been more successful from an individual and team success standpoint. Winning the only unanimous MVP, leading the team to four championships and six Finals, Steph is a genuine legend. “The greatest shooter that God ever created” has become an undeniable part of NBA history. A genuine, undeniable, all-time great, Curry rewrote what an offense looks like, and he did it all as part of the Warriors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors Updates
But, while the team has gotten old and far from contention, Steph is at his individualistic best. Whether it is shooting or scoring, he remains an unguardable supernova unlike any other on the court. As a result, the Golden State Warriors must build a contender around him. Due to the success Curry has brought to the team, both in terms of winning and revenue, it is incumbent upon the team to act in his best interests.
And as recent quotes suggest, his best interests firmly remain in competing. For the Warriors, the path back to contention is straightforward. They already have a healthy dose of youth and solid rotational pieces. The one missing ingredient remains a secondary star alongside Steph. They would have had the perfect fit in Lauri: giving them size and shooting, both desperately lacking on the team.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors Updates
While parting with Brandin Podziemski’s potential might have been difficult, it would have allowed them to capitalize on Stephen Curry’s reality. Further, with a bevy of youngsters to choose from, the team would still have intriguing pieces going forward. Even though Podziemski is among the best projects in the league, let alone the Warriors, they should have to part with him immediately for the right opportunity.
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