The Golden State Warriors have the potential to acquire Lauri Markkanen if they were to include Brandin Podziemski in trade discussions. However, the franchise has firmly decided not to trade the second-year guard.
Significant Impact and Organizational Value
Reports indicate that Podziemski has made a substantial impact on the team in his short tenure. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Warriors “don’t want to trade” Podziemski because he is “beloved organizationally.” Slater noted on 95.7 The Game radio, “One of the rare aspects to him, compared to the Warriors’ other recent picks, is Steve Kerr couldn’t keep him off the floor as a rookie.”
Podziemski had an impressive rookie season, culminating in All-Rookie First Team honors, and quickly became a vital player for the Warriors.
High Praise from Ownership
Warriors owner Joe Lacob is a strong supporter of the young guard, predicting a stellar future for him. “He was a revelation, to be quite honest,” Lacob said during the Summer League. “We’re really excited. We think we have a future All-Star. We really do.”
Lacob emphasized Podziemski’s versatility and confidence: “He started a whole bunch of games for us. Steve [Kerr] had trouble getting him off the floor; he had to have him on the floor, he was so good. He does so many things so well. He’s ultra-confident, he’s got an NBA body, he can get wherever he wants. … What can’t he do?”
Impressive Rookie Stats
In the 2023-24 season, Podziemski played in 74 games, including 28 starts. He averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 26.6 minutes per game, while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. His performance earned him a spot on the USA Select Team alongside teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis, where they practiced with Team USA in Las Vegas in preparation for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
The Warriors’ commitment to Podziemski underscores their belief in his potential and the significant role he is expected to play in the team’s future success.
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