Brandin Podziemski’s Return: What His Five-Year, $110 Million Deal Actually Means For the Warriors’ Season

Brandin Podziemski is officially back in the Golden State Warriors’ starting lineup for their home opener against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight, a massive turnaround for the 23-year-old who just signed a five-year, $110 million rookie-scale contract extension. He’s set to make his 2026-27 season debut after a sore back kept him out of Wednesday’s 127-105 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s a huge moment for a player the Warriors clearly have big plans for.

The Big Comeback After a Back Scare

Coach Steve Kerr confirmed the news before tonight’s game: Podziemski isn’t just available, he’s straight-up starting at the two-guard spot. “He had a workout this morning,” Kerr told reporters. “Went through it fine, so he’ll be in the starting lineup.” That’s the kind of update fans want to hear, especially after he missed the opener. Missing games isn’t his style, either. This guy showed up for all 82 games last season for the Warriors. His availability is one of those key attributes that gave Golden State all the confidence they needed to lock him up long-term.

The $110 Million Man Steps Up

That five-year, $110 million extension, which includes an option for the final year in 2031,32, tells you everything you need to know about what the Warriors expect. Podziemski, drafted 19th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara, exploded last year with career highs across the board: 13.8 points per game, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals, all while shooting 45% from the field. Those aren’t just good numbers for a young guy, they’re the kind of stats that make you a cornerstone piece.

Tonight, all eyes are on the 23-year-old as he makes his 2026-27 season debut against the Grizzlies. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT, and you can bet Podziemski will be ready to show why the Warriors put such a massive bet on him. He’s back, and that’s a big deal for Golden State.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.