NBA
Podziemski Gets $110M: Warriors Lock Up Guard for Five Years
The Golden State Warriors are keeping their young guard. Brandin Podziemski has agreed to a five-year, $110 million fully guaranteed rookie-scale contract extension, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a mutual option in the fifth year (2031-32) and a trade kicker, and it beats the October 19 extension deadline with nine days to spare.
The numbers say the Warriors paid for production, not potential. Podziemski, 23, played all 82 games last season with 43 starts, averaging 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.5 minutes a night. His shooting line of 45.5 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three and 79.7 percent from the line included career highs in scoring and free throw percentage. He also finished second in the entire NBA in charges taken, the kind of stat that does not show up in a highlight reel but wins coaches over fast.
The real selling point was the second half. After the All-Star break, the Santa Clara product averaged 17.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists over 27 games, the stretch the Warriors kept citing as the version of Podziemski they expect going forward. Pre-deal projections had him anywhere from $100 million to $125 million, with Christian Braun's five-year, $125 million deal standing as the ceiling comp. At $110 million, the $22 million annual average lands right in the realistic band, fully guaranteed money for a player who just turned 23.
Podziemski spent media day swatting away contract questions. "I've never played this game for the dollar," he said. "It's always been because it's a passion of mine." Steve Kerr spent camp talking him up too, praising his feel for the game and versatility. Not everyone was buying it after a rough preseason debut against the Clippers had fans questioning the price tag, but the front office clearly saw enough in the full body of work to get the deal done before the deadline.
The alternative was restricted free agency next summer, where another team could have forced Golden State's hand or driven the price higher. Instead the Warriors get cost certainty on a core piece, and Podziemski gets life-changing guaranteed money with a mutual option and trade kicker protecting both sides on the back end.
What it means
Golden State just committed $110 million to its backcourt future while the Steph Curry window is still open. Per Shams, both sides valued getting it done now: the Warriors secure Podziemski as a foundational piece, and the structure preserves flexibility for the team's salary space next summer. His two-way production and durability made him the safest bet among the Warriors' young core. He was one of just 18 players to appear in all 82 games last season and has ranked top three in charges drawn in every year of his career. Getting the deal done before October 19 removes the contract-year distraction entirely. The mutual option in 2031-32 gives both sides an out if the fit ever changes. For a franchise threading the needle between contending now and building later, this is the clean version of that plan.
Key Facts
- Deal: 5 years, $110 million, fully guaranteed.
- Option: Mutual option in year five (2031-32).
- Extras: Includes a trade kicker.
- Annual average: $22 million per year.
- Deadline: Was October 19. Without a deal, Podziemski would have been a restricted free agent next summer.
VIA Shams Charania, ESPN. Stats via team reports and Heavy.