Imagine you’re a player who just got into the team. In this case, Brandin Podziemski and the Golden State Warriors. You arrive on the team to fulfill the dream of playing in the NBA but later understand trade rumors circle you like hawks in the sky. It breaks your heart or your confidence as a young player. During the off-season for the Warriors, they lost Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks after he accepted a three-year deal worth $50 million. But to replace him, they desired Paul George and Lauri Markkanen ($449 million combined deal).

Nowadays, when you lose a legend, you want someone to run the play instead. Here comes Podziemski, unaware of his distant future, hoping his career gets going amidst all the trade rumors. Well, it caused apprehensions for the 21-year-old not having a tiny clue what his future looked like. He appeared on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast to discuss his thoughts leading to those off-season trade rumors. To the player’s credit, he took it positively. Yet, like most of us, it became confusing in the beginning.

Brandin Podziemski felt the heat before all the trade rumors

In the beginning, Podziemski came in excited to work with the team. After Klay Thompson left, Chris Paul departed the franchise too to join the San Antonio Spurs. Those are two top players. Having Podziemski to replace them speaks volumes about his talent.

“It was hard for me to process mentally because with anything in life, any industry, any business with success comes expectation. And just knowing the situation with Klay and Chris, not knowing if they’re gonna be back, but most likely probably not gonna be back. You know, you see a window of opportunity to do for yourself,” said the Warriors guard. With Thompson and Paul leaving, the off-season became tricky for the Warriors. The love for Brandin, though, existed from the front office.

“Yeah, I think it’s both. You feel the respect and love from Mike Dunleavy and Joe Lacob and our front office team of how much they value me in just being 1 year I can do,” said Podziemski, impressed with the Warriors front office. The team snapped him as the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Even though he doesn’t remain a polished shooter like Klay Thompson, the man’s got some skills.

If you had watched his behind-the-back pass to Jonathan Kuminga in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, you know there is a player there ready to unleash himself. Yet, with the Warriors wishing an able successor for Klay Thompson, Podziemski remained an asset the Warriors could afford to lose. For Brandin, he took the positive way out of the situation.

“It’s not like you’re being traded for another role player. It’s an All-Star they are talking about. And so, seeing that for a while, wow, this is cool. But also seeing your value across the league of teams wanting you to trade for their All-Star. They just don’t want nothing in return. They want something,” mentioned the Warriors guard, gleefully optimistic about his future. He knew his worth and the other teams knew it, too.

Warriors wanted Paul George and Lauri Markkanen to boost the roster

Normally, when world-class players come to the team, one sacrificial lamb makes his way out. In this case, the Warriors wanted Paul George and Lauri Markkanen (together) with Podziemski as part of the deal. However, the deal went down the drain, with Podziemski discovering fresh encouragement. “So to see, the Clippers, the Jazz, want me in return. It shows Golden State’s value for me but also teams around the league,” said Podziemski.

It’s no secret the Warriors wanted both George and Markkanen. Envision a trio of George, Markkanen, and Curry (not forgetting Draymond). The team could send shivers down the spine of most rivals. Irrespective of all the excitement, Dunleavy Jr. and Lacob didn’t get what they wished for.

George took his talents to Philadelphia. So far, it’s not worked out well. Markkanen, on the other hand, signed a lucrative contract extension with the Utah Jazz. A five-year deal worth $238 million makes it a no-brainer for Markkanen to stay. Like, who wouldn’t be tempted to take a contract like that?

Unfortunately for the Warriors, it didn’t pan out how they wanted. For one man, though, it gave him confidence. Podziemski welcomed that opportunity with open arms. We won’t say he is the finished product yet with his points average dropping from 9.2 to 8.5. In time, he probably could get better at helping Curry contend for championships.

One moment like that pass against the Grizzlies could boost his confidence. It’s all a player needs, a pat on the back from the coach and some recognition from his teammates. With Curry as the team leader, Podziemski can learn from one of the best to do it. Don’t sleep on the kid. He can get going!