Going into the 2024-25 NBA season, one thing will certainly be felt prominently by the Warriors squad: Klay Thompson’s absence. Nothing articulated the feelings of the current roster better than the “It Sucks” that Thompson’s ‘Splash Brother’, Stephen Curry, stated back in July. However, the tensions between the player and the Warriors management was reportedly at a level that made it hard for the 34-year-old to continue on. While Brandin Podziemski had already shared his thoughts on the departure of his mentor, he would have been remiss to not mention the major gap that he left behind.

In a recent interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, the 21-year-old former rookie spoke out about the impact that Klay Thompson had specially on his life. Despite having been teammates with the veteran for only one season now, Podziemski revealed being even indirectly influenced by Thompson through “The presence in the locker room, the veteran things that he shared with all of our young guys.” On top of that, Podziemski was also impressed by “How he carries himself, his demeanor — especially on the off days — how he works out, works on his body being in his mid-30s now.” All of these things are now something that the shooting guard feels he will be missing in the next few years of his NBA journey. As for the Warriors locker room, they will have to find other players who can cover for Thompson performance wise, which won’t be easy.

“No one is going to be Klay Thompson,” the young guard concluded. “We’re just going to do our best to fill that void and take another step.”

Since the shooting guard left and aligned with the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors have made some changes with the hope of strengthening their position. As a result, veterans Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson were recently acquired by the franchise. Being a prominent three-point shooter, holding records some of which are only surpassed by Stephen Curry, Hield can efficiently fill Thompson’s role of covering for Curry at the time of need. After all, if the past few years have shown something, it is that the Warriors rely heavily on constant movement. This occurs even if players don’t have the basketball in their hands. The movement creates open looks from deep, which allowed Steph and Thompson to make some memorable three-pointers and make good use of Steve Kerr’s ‘three-point motion’ offense.

As for Kyle Anderson, who has been described as a ‘jack of all trades’ by Warriors assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse, the player can initiate the offense as a wing while simultaneously offering an elite defensive and rebounding presence.

Believe it or not, but Brandin Podziemski may have indirectly played a role in the woes that ultimately led to Thompson’s exit. According to CJ McCollum, Thompson’s role was somewhat diminished within the Warriors after Steve Kerr reportedly started Brandin Podziemski, then just a rookie, over him at several points during the recent season. Thompson himself claimed that putting Podziemski over him was not a ‘demotion’. However, the Pelicans player refused to believe the same, stating “To be treated the way he was treated this last year-and-a-half or so, I looked at it as disrespect from the outside looking in.” With Thompson gone, there is a good chance that Podziemski himself will rise to a new level in the locker room. After all, the Warriors wouldn’t so far so as to get rid of two of their prominent players.

Amid Klay Thompson trade woes, Brandin Podziemski was assured about his position within the franchise: “You’re a priority there”

Klay Thompson’s exit showed that no one is safe. After all, if the Warriors couldn’t work out a deal that would keep on a veteran that had been with them for 13 years, then where would a recent rookie stand? Fortunately, Brandin Podziemski received assurances that he wasn’t going anywhere.

In an interview with The New York Times dated August 28, the 21-year-old revealed running into franchise owner Joe Lacob during a Las Vegas Aces game. At that point, there was speculation running about that Podziemski would be acquired by the Utah Jazz as part of a lucrative deal. However, in the discussion with owner Ryan Smith, Lacob made it clear that the same wasn’t gonna happen.

“He told me, ‘You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re a priority here,’” said Podziemski. “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.”

The Warriors were determined to keep Podziemski on, something that they may not have been that enthusiastic about with. Klay Thompson. According to reports, the player’s extension talks were termed to be “cold” and “uncommunicative.” Having decided where the future now lies, the Warriors may now depend on their new players and Podziemski to guide them away from their locker room woes.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.