The Golden State Warriors have just three weeks to settle on a contract extension for Brandin Podziemski, and the number they’re willing to live with appears to be pretty clear.
Per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Golden State does not want to push far past Podziemski’s $17.5 million cap hold. That’s the kind of line the Warriors may hold even after locking up Stephen Curry on a two-year, $116 million extension last week, a move that still leaves them focused on protecting cap space for next summer.
There had been buzz that Podziemski could chase a deal north of $20 million per season, but the Warriors don’t seem eager to go there for a player who still hasn’t fully established himself as a locked-in starter. A contract that lands around the cap hold could mean something like four years and $70 million, which looks like the most realistic middle ground before the October 19 deadline. That’s two days before Golden State opens the regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The financial stakes are obvious. An extension now would cut into projected cap space that could still climb above $60 million even after Curry’s deal. At the same time, getting a useful rotation piece like Podziemski for less than $20 million per year could turn into a smart bargain, especially if his late-season surge proves real over a full campaign.
And that surge was no small thing. After the All-Star break, Podziemski averaged 17.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 47/37/83. Those numbers would make a case for a bigger payday, which is why Golden State could end up with real value if he keeps that production rolling as the former 19th pick.
Podziemski also seems ready to keep the focus where it belongs. At media day, with a fresh no-nonsense look, he said, "it's better if I don't say anything." It was a pointed shift for a player whose past comments rubbed some Warriors fans the wrong way and, at times, gave him an unfair label.
Whether an extension gets done or not, Podziemski will have plenty of chances to answer on the court. He played nearly 500 more minutes than any other Warrior last season, largely because he appeared in all 82 games, and Golden State will again need young players to provide a lift.
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