Warriors Issue Major Announcement on Brandin Podziemski

The Golden State Warriors officially exercised the fourth-year option on guard Brandin Podziemski, solidifying the rising guard’s place in the franchise’s long-term plans.

The 22-year-old has appeared in five games this season, including three starts, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.6 minutes. Originally drafted 19th overall in 2023, Podziemski earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors and quickly became a fan favorite for his hustle and confidence.

Podziemski’s Rising Role and Ambition

Podziemski has made no secret of his ambition to carry the Warriors into their next era once Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler eventually pass the torch.

“When they leave this thing, they’ve got to leave it with somebody,” Podziemski told

The Athletic. “How can I have their trust? They can go to [owner] Joe [Lacob] and [GM] Mike [Dunleavy] and say, ‘Hey, we want to leave it with him.’”

He added that being that successor takes more than skill. “There are a lot of other things than just talent you need to be in that position,” he said.

The Warriors clearly agree. Owner Joe Lacob has publicly called Podziemski a “future All-Star,” while coach Steve Kerr often refers to him as the team’s “connector” — the guard who balances the floor and keeps ball movement steady.

“I want to be a third option for this team,” Podziemski said. “I want to be a guy where Steph and Jimmy are out, they can rely on me to help win games.”

Warriors Veteran Endorses Podziemski’s Confidence

Green, a four-time All-Star, said he appreciates Podziemski’s confidence but reminded him that leadership in Golden State comes with pressure.

“You’re worried a little more when someone struggles with confidence,” Green said. “With BP, you appreciate the respect. You hope the young guys that come in respect you, because if they do, there’s so much we can give.”

Green said both he and Curry care deeply about leaving the franchise in the right hands.

“Steph and myself — we care about the organization. We don’t just care about this year for us. We’re tied to this thing forever,” he said. “When I’m 45, I don’t want to come watch some sorry team play. I want to come when it’s jumpin’ — that matters.”

Still, Green urged Podziemski to balance ambition with patience. “Be careful. Don’t tell people too much, because the more you tell people, the more they use it against you,” he said. “We all believe he’s going to be one of the guys who takes the torch. But the moment you have a bad game, that’s when it turns.”

Earning His Time in a Loaded Lineup

While Podziemski is currently Golden State’s fourth-leading scorer behind Curry (27.0 ppg), Butler (21.4 ppg), and Jonathan Kuminga (16.2 ppg), his versatility has allowed Kerr to deploy him interchangeably as a starter and sixth man.

“He’ll be that, no question,” Green said. “But it ain’t his time yet. He’ll continue to grow and walk right into it, but don’t force it. This offense isn’t built for him to take over — it’s built for him to be aggressive, not to take over.”

For now, the Warriors see Podziemski as the bridge between their championship core and their future.

“Be a kid as long as you can, because then you’ve got bills,” Green joked. “Stay in that spot as long as you can, because so much more comes with it when you get to the place you want to go.”

Ex-NBA Champion Sends Blunt Warning to Warriors

The Golden State Warriors remain stuck in limbo with Jonathan Kuminga. Training camp is fast approaching, and the restricted free agent still doesn’t have a deal.

Golden State’s best-known offer — two years, $45 million with a team option in Year 2 — has so far gone nowhere. Kuminga has instead been leaning toward the $7.9 million qualifying offer, which would pave the way for unrestricted free agency in 2026 while creating an uneasy dynamic this season.

The Warriors spent much of the summer exploring sign-and-trade options, but no deal ever materialized. Now both sides remain at a standstill, and the tension is only growing.

Awkward Situation Brewing in Golden State

What’s become clear is that neither side is budging. Kuminga’s camp is still pushing for a much richer, long-term commitment, while the Warriors remain unwilling to move off their structure-heavy offer. With the Oct. 1 qualifying offer deadline looming, the expectation is he’ll eventually take that route — a decision that would give him freedom in 2026 and leave Golden State exposed to losing him for nothing.

Former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back in assessing the situation.

“It’s going to affect the locker room that’s trying to win or have intentions on winning the championship,” Perkins said on NBA Today. “I don’t know if Jonathan Kuminga is watching NBA Today, but they don’t want you, dog. They don’t value you, because if they did, you wouldn’t be going through this.

It started last season. Steve Kerr showed you how he felt about you when you were out of the rotation during the Play-In Tournament, in the first round against the Rockets. I understand Mike Dunleavy is now running things in the front office, him and Joe Lacob, but Jonathan Kuminga wasn’t a Mike Dunleavy pick; that was a Bob Myers pick.”

What Comes Next for Kuminga and the Warriors?

Kuminga has shown flashes of real talent, but the Warriors appear done giving him chances after four up-and-down years.

Perkins argued that bringing him back on the qualifying offer could spell trouble.

“When you look at this situation, it’s going to cause turmoil in the locker room if you bring him back on the $7.9 million [qualifying offer] because he’s going to go out there and play individual basketball,” Perkins said.

Golden State’s inability to find a workable sign-and-trade has left them stuck. If Kuminga ends up on the qualifying offer, it won’t solve much — it only delays the problem while setting up the risk of losing him for nothing in 2026.

Either way, the standoff is adding pressure by the day. And the uncertainty is hanging over the Warriors as camp approaches.