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Entering the league as the 19th draft pick in 2023, the journey hasn’t been easy for Brandin Podziemski. Since his debut, the 22-year-old’s performance graph in the NBA has been uneven. Now, you might say, “he’s just 22, he has time,” yes indeed. But that’s not for the front office to understand. For a team like the Golden State Warriors, who are walking on a financial tightrope, so much so that they had to waive the veteran guard, Seth Curry, before the start of the 2025-26 season, deciding Podziemski’s future would feel like a luxury. Therefore, GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. isn’t promising anything. On Tuesday, BP chipped in 12 points against the LA Clippers at Chase Center. Let’s just say it wasn’t his best night, yet defensively, the shooting guard did a commendable job. Securing a few shot blocks and steals, which eventually helped the Warriors win 98-79 against James Harden & Co. Now, after the game, Mike Dunleavy sat with NBC Sports Bay Area & California to talk about the Dubs. The hosts wanted to know that Podziemski is off to a slow start in his first three games. With a contract extension ahead, what should his mindset be? “I mean, he knows. He’s just got to be him. He’s got to be a good player like he’s been for us the last couple of years. The contract stuff always takes care of itself. It just seems like once you get one deal done, there’s always the next and the next,” the Golden State Warriors’ GM confirmed. “We’re constantly playing him here. BP knows what it takes to be a really good player. He’s done that at a young age in this league. He’s really solid on both sides of the ball. He can rebound, he can pass, he can shoot. One of the reasons we drafted him, we feel pretty good about him as a player, and we’ve got a long year to get through. Then we’ll get to that other stuff afterwards.” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad No, it doesn’t look like Dunleavy is ready to have a word about BP’s contract extension just yet. On the other hand, Podziemski’s numbers tell a story of steady growth but subtle stagnation. Through the 2025-26 season so far, he is averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 29.6 minutes, shooting 44.9% from the field and 42.3% from deep. Those are efficient but modest stats for a guard in a Warriors system that demands elevation. His scoring improved from 9.2 to 12.2 points over three seasons, but the pace feels measured, not explosive. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad In 2024-25, Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists with a 44.5% FG and 37.2% from three, a slight uptick from his rookie year. While reliable, his ceiling remains unclear. The Warriors’ concern seems rooted in his ability to become a star-level contributor rather than a steady rotational piece. As one insider put it, “They need proof he can command games, not just complement them,” and that hesitation explains the delay in his extension talks. Interestingly enough, once again, Stephen Curry‘s future would decide what awaits Brandin Podziemski. You see, the Warriors have no practical cap space for the 2025-26 season. They are projected to be about $93.8 million over the salary cap, with total payroll commitments of $248.5 million. This includes the salaries of Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, each bagging more than $50 million. But come 2027, the scene could change. Then, will things also change for Podz? Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Brandin Podziemski’s extension largely depends on the Warriors’ cap space in the near future As you know, the Warriors have no practical cap space for 2025 26. Total cap allocations are $248,481,703 with total payroll commitments of $248.5 million. The salary cap sits at $154,647,00,0, leaving cap space of -$93,834,703. They are above the tax threshold $187,895,000, and above the first apron $195,945,000, and the second apron $207,824,000. This guarantees strict restrictions and heavy luxury tax exposure. Therefore, trades will be limited and exceptions constrained. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Now, Brandin Podziemski is on a four-year $16,239,819 deal signed in the summer of 2023. He earned $3,352,440 in his rookie year and $3,519,960 in 2024 25. The 2025-26 season shows an increment of $168,000. His 2026-27 salary is $5,679,459. Cumulative earnings listed are $12,551,859, and he becomes a restricted free agent in 2027-28. This structure keeps his cap hit modest while offering upside and future leverage. Moreover, the payroll picture makes an extension difficult to impossible without major clearing moves. Crossing the second apron blocks sign and trade deals and restricts exceptions. Practically, they can offer only minimum contracts or wait until cap relief arrives. Period.
