Brandin Podziemski is officially $110 million richer, signing a massive five-year contract extension with the Golden State Warriors this Saturday morning. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news, signaling a huge commitment from the team to their fourth-year guard who has been absolutely tearing it up in training camp and preseason games. This deal, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater, locks in Podziemski until the 2031-32 season, with a mutual option on that final year.
The Rise and The Riches: Why Podz Earned It
Let’s be real, Podziemski has been the undisputed star of training camp for the Warriors. He’s earned rave reviews for his play, looks like he’s locked into a starting job, and has really shined during the team’s preseason schedule, including dropping buckets in a game against the LA Clippers earlier this month in Honolulu. This isn’t just about potential, either. Last year, the 23-year-old lefty put up a career-high 13.8 points per game, playing in all 82 games and starting 43 times. He’s been in the final year of his first-round rookie contract, and while he made it clear he was more focused on basketball than future deals, the clock was ticking. Players in his shoes have until the eve of the season to get an extension done, or they risk heading into restricted free agency, which can get messy and expensive.
A Smart Play For Both Sides
This extension is a total no-brainer for both Podziemski and the Warriors. For the team, they’re getting him at a fair rate, considering what he brings to the court now and what they know he can develop into. It’s a fantastic price if he continues his breakout, and it completely bypasses a potential free agent bidding war that could’ve driven his price way up. Think about it, he’s making $5.7 million this year, so that $18.9 million he’ll get in the first year of the new deal (2027-28), climbing to $25 million by 2031-32, is a serious pay bump. And for Podziemski? It gives him that massive financial security, protecting him from any setbacks, like injuries, this year. Oh, and like most big NBA deals, it’s got a trade kicker too, though that can be waived if needed. This is a win-win, hands down.
So, what’s next? After securing the bag, we’re all gonna be watching to see if Podziemski celebrates by absolutely going off in tonight’s preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. You know he’s going to be playing with some extra swagger now that his future is locked in.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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