In a stunning reversal that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly ditching their once-ironclad stance on young guard Brandin Podziemski. Just two years after declaring him “untouchable” in trade talks, the Dubs are now “more open than ever” to shipping out the player they hailed as a future All-Star and foundational piece. This bombshell, dropped by Forbes’ Evan Sidery, signals the end of an era for the Warriors’ rebuild plans and has the entire league buzzing ahead of the February 5, 2026, trade deadline.
Remember the summer of 2024? The Warriors were locked in heated negotiations for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, but the deal crumbled spectacularly when Golden State refused to include Podziemski—affectionately known as “Podz”—in the package. Owner Joe Lacob went public, crowning the southpaw a “future All-Star” and broadcasting to the league that he was off-limits. It was a bold move, positioning Podz as the heir apparent to the dynasty built by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and the fairy tale has turned into a nightmare. Podz, now in his third year, hasn’t delivered the breakout performance fans and front office expected after his All-Rookie First Team nod. Through 27 games, he’s posting modest numbers: 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 44/40/75 shooting splits. Sure, his three-point shooting—his calling card—remains solid, but his defense and playmaking have been glaring weaknesses. Head coach Steve Kerr has voiced major concerns, with opponents exploiting Podz in pick-and-rolls like he’s a revolving door.
The Warriors’ trade stance is shifting dramatically. Both Podz and Jonathan Kuminga started the season in the lineup, expected to mesh with the veteran core of Curry, Green, and Jimmy Butler III. But Kerr yanked them early, and neither has clawed back their spots. Kuminga has vanished from the rotation entirely, while Podz’s minutes have dipped from 28.9 in October to 25.5 in December. He’s still closing games for his shooting, but his defensive lapses make him a liability on too many nights.
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This openness to trade Podz shatters the vision of him as Curry’s successor. Podz himself fueled that narrative, telling The Athletic’s Nick Friedell: “When they [Curry and Green] leave this thing, they got to leave it with somebody. How can I have their trust? And they can go to [owner] Joe [Lacob] and [general manager] Mike [Dunleavy] and be like, ‘Hey, we want to leave it with him. He’s going to continue what we’re leaving.’ So, I think about that all time, and I set myself up in that position to have that. And there’s a lot of other things than just skill that you need to be in that position.”
But those comments drew fire, even from within. Draymond Green cautioned the 22-year-old: “To hear BP say that, it’s exciting. But still, as a leader, you also understand what that comes with. And with him, I say: ‘Be careful.’ Don’t tell people too much. Because the more you tell people, the more they use it against you and try to tear you down.”
With Podz now potentially on the block, the Warriors could leverage him to land a proven impact player to bolster their championship push. This move isn’t just a trade—it’s a full-blown admission that the post-Curry era blueprint is crumbling. The NBA landscape just got a whole lot more chaotic, as teams line up to poach Golden State’s former golden boy. Stay tuned; the deadline drama is only heating up!