The Golden State Warriors may have added a few quality players in the aftermath of the departure of franchise legend Klay Thompson. But it's fair to wonder if the Warriors' roster as presently constructed is good enough to compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference, let alone for the Larry O'Brien trophy. It's no surprise that the Dubs are looking to up the team's talent base, consolidating the pieces that they already have for another star — with Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen being their primary trade target.
The Jazz, however, according to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, would only part ways with Markkanen if they receive Brandin Podziemski from the Warriors to go along with another young player (Moses Moody, perhaps) and plenty of draft capital. Podziemski, for what it's worth, is remaining mentally strong amid the uncertainty surrounding his situation with Golden State, and is, in fact, finding it “fun” that his name is out there in trade rumors so often.
“It's very fun for me actually. I love it,” Podziemski said on The Dinner Table podcast on July 25, per Will Simonds of NBC Sports Bay Area. “It's cool to see different things every day — people's comments, and if I should be [traded] or shouldn't be.”
But at the end of the day, Brandin Podziemski is only focusing towards the things that are in his control and leave the decision of whether or not the Warriors will be trading him away to the powers that be.
“For me, from a basketball perspective, social media aside, I try to put that away and just work on what I can control right now,” Podziemski added.
Will Brandin Podziemski spend his sophomore season with the Warriors?
Brandin Podziemski was the 19th overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft and was a steal for the Warriors from the get-go. He is a quick decision-maker with the basketball, making him a seamless fit in the Dubs' offense. Moreover, he could space the floor, handle the rock as well, and help out on the glass as well. In his rookie campaign, he averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 45/39/63 shooting splits — and he's only 21 years of age at the time of writing.
There is still uncertainty, however, as to whether or not Podziemski would be spending his second season in the NBA with the Warriors. But he's trying to spin that uncertainty and turn it into something positive, regardless of if he plays for the Dubs or the Jazz.
“No one likes to admit it, but everybody sees … the good and the bad,” Podziemski added. “For me, I think the bad can just be used as motivation. Obviously, my name has been in the Markkanen trade a lot, so if the trade doesn't go through and I'm still here, to have a good second year and be like, ‘Good thing we didn't trade him,' would be cool for me.”
Podziemski can now take comfort in the fact that the Warriors have not been willing, according to reports, to trade him away for Lauri Markkanen. All he has to do now is vindicate the franchise's belief in him.
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