The Golden State Warriors are off to a rather surprising start to the season, considering the major roster shift occurring in the offseason. Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s name is being tossed around the trade winds involving the Warriors. According to GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., though, one standout guard will not be sacrificed.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. Issues “No Trade Zone” for Guard
Brandin Podziemski Given Vote of Confidence from Warriors Brass
While the Milwaukee Bucks are searching for the light switch in the dark and stuffy Eastern Conference basement, the Golden State Warriors are enjoying their time upstairs with some of the other good teams in the league. The Warriors are 6-1 and playing much better than most expected. Because of Milwaukee’s struggles and some recent trade commentary from Antetokounmpo, his name is being floated in trade rumors. Likely, he won’t be going anywhere. You have to think that at some point in the coming weeks, the Bucks will get it together, right? Nevertheless, trade speculation continues.
One team that has been pulled into the conversation is the Warriors. Apparently, though, if Golden State is looking to make any moves, Giannis-involved or not, Brandin Podziemski is off the table. The second-year shooting guard has proved to be one of the Warriors best draft picks in recent years, and the franchise is unwilling to give him up. According to The Athletic, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Warriors GM, recently let Podziemski know that he has nothing to worry about, saying, ‘A lot of these other teams are calling about you. They want you, but you’re not going anywhere. You’re ours.’ The majority team owner, Joe Lacob, also chimed in.
“He told me, ‘You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re a priority here’.” Podziemski said he heard from Lacob. ” I appreciate that, being a rookie and going into my second year, hearing that from such a prestigious organization. It feels good. I’m wanted somewhere. So, I appreciate them.”
Meant to Follow Up Steph Curry?
It sounds apparent that Dunleavy and the Warriors intend to have Podziemski around for the long haul. Only in his second year, he’s proving he deserves that notion despite a slow start to the season. Seven games in, he’s struggling with his shot. Going into Golden State’s highly hyped matchup with the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, Podziemski is shooting just 37.8% from the field and 18.2% from three. His career averages tell a different story, though. His 36% career average from three and 44.8% from the field should tell you that he’ll eventually get back there. Of course, his numbers are short-lived, considering he’s only played one full season in the NBA.
Are the Warriors planning on Podziemski taking the starting point guard mantel following Steph Curry‘s eventual retirement? Quite possibly—it would seem so, at least. Curry isn’t stepping away just yet, though. If he is to step into those shoes, Podziemski still has a few years of development ahead. If this is Golden State’s plan for him, he’s A) in the perfect franchise development situation and B) learning from the perfect example in Curry. In the meantime, it must feel nice knowing that in the eyes of Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., Podziemski’s place with the team is sealed for now.
