The Golden State Warriors have a Brandin Podziemski problem. Or maybe they don’t. Depending on how you look at it, the 23-year-old guard is either the Warriors’ most valuable young asset – or their most tempting trade chip.
According to a report from Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice, the Philadelphia 76ers were among the teams that made an unsuccessful push for Podziemski at the trade deadline. The Warriors held firm. They kept their young guard.
But the interest didn’t disappear. It’s only going to intensify.
Podziemski just finished a productive sophomore season. He appeared in all 82 regular-season games and both Play-In contests. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He added 1.1 steals and 1.9 made three-pointers per game. In the Warriors’ Play-In loss to the Phoenix Suns, he delivered 23 points and 10 rebounds in 39 minutes.
He’s durable. He’s productive. He’s 23. And he’s exactly the kind of player that contending teams want – and that rebuilding teams covet.
Now, the Warriors face a critical decision. Do they keep Podziemski as part of their post-Curry core? Or do they trade him to acquire a star who can help Curry win one more championship?
Let’s break down the Podziemski dilemma, the trade interest, the contract situation, and what it all means for the Warriors’ future.
The Podziemski Season: A Sophomore Leap
Let’s start with what Podziemski did on the court.
2025-26 statistics:
82 regular-season games (ironman durability)
14.0 points per game
5.2 rebounds per game
3.6 assists per game
1.1 steals per game
1.9 three-pointers per game
23 points, 10 rebounds in Play-In loss to Phoenix
Those are not empty stats. Podziemski produced on a team that was fighting for a playoff spot. He played heavy minutes. He defended. He made winning plays.
He also proved he could handle the moment. In the Play-In game – a must-win situation – he was the Warriors’ best player. That matters.
The Sixers’ Interest: A Sign of His Value
Let’s talk about the trade interest.
According to Aaronson, the 76ers made “runs at” Podziemski at the deadline. They weren’t alone. Other teams have likely inquired as well.
Why the interest? Because Podziemski is the kind of player every team wants: young, cheap, productive, and versatile. He can play on or off the ball. He can defend. He can shoot. He can rebound.
For a contender like the Sixers, Podziemski would be an ideal complementary piece. For a rebuilding team, he would be a building block.
The fact that multiple teams are interested tells you everything you need to know about his value.
The Warriors’ Timeline: Curry’s Window vs. Podziemski’s Future
Let’s zoom out.
Stephen Curry is 38. He has maybe two or three elite years left. The Warriors’ championship window is closing.
Podziemski is 23. He has a decade of basketball ahead of him. His timeline aligns with the post-Curry era.
The Warriors have to decide which timeline they’re prioritizing.
If they want to maximize Curry’s remaining years, they need to add veteran talent. That means trading Podziemski – their most valuable young asset – for a proven star.
If they want to build for the future, they need to keep Podziemski and let him develop into a cornerstone.
There’s no right answer. There’s only a choice.
The Contract Situation: A Rookie-Scale Extension Looms
Let’s talk about the money.
Podziemski is eligible for a rookie-scale extension this offseason. That means the Warriors have to decide how much he’s worth – and whether they’re willing to pay it.
Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard wrote in March that there may already be a gap between what Podziemski could seek and what the Warriors are willing to offer.
“This should be another interesting rookie-extension negotiation this offseason.”
Kawakami pointed to the three-year, $39 million deal signed by Moses Moody as a potential benchmark.
*“I don’t know if Podziemski’s worth much more than the three-year, $39-million deal that Moses Moody got… but I’m positive that he will want more.”*
At the same time, Golden State is not expected to approach the type of extension it once gave Jordan Poole, who signed a four-year, $123 million contract in 2022.
If no agreement is reached, Podziemski could play out the next stage of his rookie deal before reaching restricted free agency in 2027.
The Poole Comparison: A Cautionary Tale
Let’s talk about Jordan Poole.
Poole was once the Warriors’ prized young guard. He helped them win a championship in 2022. He signed a four-year, $123 million extension. And then he was traded.
The Poole situation is a cautionary tale. The Warriors invested heavily in a young player who didn’t fit their timeline – and ended up moving him for Chris Paul.
The Warriors don’t want to repeat that mistake. They’re going to be careful with Podziemski. They’re not going to overpay. They’re not going to commit to a player who might not be part of their long-term plans.
But they also don’t want to lose him for nothing.
The Podziemski Quote: “When They Leave, They’ve Got to Leave It with Somebody”
Let’s talk about Podziemski’s own words.
Earlier this season, Podziemski told The Athletic that he wants to be part of the franchise’s next core.
“When they leave this thing, they’ve got to leave it with somebody. How can I have their trust?”
The quote drew attention. Some interpreted it as a sign that Podziemski is thinking about the post-Curry era. Others saw it as a young player expressing ambition.
Podziemski later clarified his remarks.
“I think I could have worded them a little bit differently. But I’m just going to stick with it. It’s worked.”
That’s the right approach. Podziemski is confident. He’s competitive. He wants to be a star. And he’s not afraid to say it.
The Warriors’ Decision: Keep or Trade?
Let’s put ourselves in Mike Dunleavy’s shoes.
Option 1: Keep Podziemski. He’s young, durable, and productive. He fits the post-Curry timeline. He could be a cornerstone for the next era. But keeping him means the Warriors won’t have his trade value to use in a blockbuster deal for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo or LeBron James.
Option 2: Trade Podziemski. He’s the Warriors’ most valuable trade asset. He could be the centerpiece of a package for a star. But trading him means giving up on a player who could be a key piece of the future.
There’s no easy answer. It depends on what the Warriors prioritize.
The Other Young Assets: Kuminga, Moody, and Santos
Let’s not forget about the other young players.
Jonathan Kuminga is a restricted free agent. The Warriors have to decide whether to bring him back. Moses Moody is on a team-friendly deal. Gui Santos is developing.
Podziemski is the most valuable of the group. He’s the one other teams want. He’s the one who could fetch the biggest return.
But the Warriors also have to consider whether trading Podziemski would leave them without any young talent for the post-Curry era.
The Curry Timeline: How Many Years Left?
Let’s get realistic.
Curry wants to play at least 20 seasons. That’s three more years. The Warriors have that same window – three more years to build a contender around him.
If the Warriors trade Podziemski for a star, they’re going all-in on the next three years. If they keep him, they’re hedging their bets.
Both approaches have merit. Both have risks.
Brandin Podziemski is the Warriors’ most valuable young asset. He’s productive. He’s durable. He’s 23. And multiple teams – including the 76ers – have already expressed interest in acquiring him.
The Warriors have a decision to make. Do they keep Podziemski as part of their post-Curry core? Or do they trade him to acquire a star who can help Stephen Curry win one more championship?
There’s no right answer. The Warriors have to weigh their timeline, their financial situation, and their championship aspirations.
Podziemski wants to be part of the future. He’s said as much.
“When they leave this thing, they’ve got to leave it with somebody. How can I have their trust?”
That’s the question. And the Warriors are about to answer it.