One of the few young pieces on an aging roster is staying put for the long haul.
Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a fully guaranteed five-year, $110 million rookie-scale extension with the Golden State Warriors, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Saturday. The 23-year-old guard will now avoid restricted free agency next summer.
The Brandin Podziemski extension begins in 2027-28 and pays him $18.9 million in its first season, a lower starting figure that gives the front office more cap room that summer. It also includes a trade kicker and a mutual option for 2031-32, which lets either side opt into the final year.
Why Golden State Paid Up
Podziemski was the first draft pick of general manager Mike Dunleavy, taken 19th overall out of Santa Clara in 2023. He has raised his scoring average in each of his three seasons.
Last season he set a career high with 13.8 points per game, adding 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals. He shot 45.5% from the field and 37.1% from three.
Reliability made his case even stronger. He was one of just 18 players to appear in all 82 games, and he ranks among the top three in charges drawn since entering the league.
A Bigger Role Starts Now
Podziemski is set to open the season alongside Stephen Curry in the starting backcourt. His youth matters more than usual with Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody still recovering and Kristaps Porziņģis out indefinitely with a health issue.
The deal adds to an active extension window across the NBA, following Jalen Duren’s $200 million agreement with the Detroit Pistons earlier this month.
For a Warriors team built around veterans, the Brandin Podziemski extension secures a key piece of the future without sacrificing flexibility today.
