The Golden State Warriors are in a transitional period.
Klay Thompson’s Departure and Aging Stars:
Klay Thompson has moved on to the Dallas Mavericks through a sign-and-trade deal. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, now in their mid-30s, are nearing the end of their careers and might soon consider retirement. The team faces a critical decision: either make a significant trade or hope one of their young talents steps up as an All-Star by 2024-25.
Brandin Podziemski’s Potential:
Combo guard Brandin Podziemski could be that emerging star. Coach Steve Kerr has been extremely supportive of Podz, even during his rookie struggles in 2023-2024. According to USA Today, Kerr praised Podziemski:
โI donโt care if he scores or not. He is in every one of our best lineups. He is our best plus-minus guy (plus-3.8) for the year… Iโm thrilled with Brandin, and as long as he keeps playing as hard as he is, heโll be out there.โ
The Intangibles That Matter:
Podziemski’s value goes beyond stats; he’s known for making crucial plays at key moments and excelling in defense against opposing point guards. His contributions often include diving for loose balls, setting screens, and energizing teammates after great passes.
Fans think this kind of hustle can really inspire the team.
However, Golden State needs more than just these efforts to climb back to the top tier of the Western Conference.
Offensive Challenges Ahead:
The Warriors struggle offensively. Curry will likely find himself isolated unless Podziemski can boost his shooting performance significantly next season.
Last season, Podziemski averaged 9.2 points with only 1.2 three-pointers per game. To match Thompsonโs impact, who has consistently made at least seven threes per game over five seasons, Podz must increase his shooting volume dramaticallyโa daunting task but necessary for the team’s success.
Goals for Improvement:
For this season, aiming for around 15 points and six or seven assists per game should be realistic targets for Podziemski. He’s already shown prowess in rebounding with nearly six boards per game during his rookie year.
By enhancing his skills and adopting a second-option mentality alongside Curry, Golden State will better understand if Podziemski is a future cornerstone or potential trade asset.
