Warriors’ Reluctance to Trade Brandin Podziemski for Lauri Markkanen Could Overburden 21YO, Worries Insider: “Can He Crack That Ceiling?”

Golden State missed their shot! In pursuit of 7-foot Center Lauri Markkanen, the Warriors made it clear that they would not give up their young stars, Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga, in a trade package. Sure enough, Danny Ainge wasn’t satisfied with the offer and instead of sending Lauri to the Bay Area, re-signed him on a five-year $238 million contract. With that, Joe Lacob and Co. lost all hope of adding a superstar alongside Steph Curry this summer, which indirectly puts 21-year-old Podz under a lot of pressure.

Discussing the aftermath of missing out on the Utah star, veteran insiders Anthony Slater and Tim Kawakami expressed their concern about Podziemski being able to step up to the occasion, “Pressure’s on Brandin Podziemski.” Selected at No. 19 in last year’s NBA draft, Brandin had a solid rookie year with the Warriors, averaging 9.2 points and nearly 6 rebounds. The youngster’s performances even earned him a spot on the All-Rookie first team alongside Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

With Steph and Draymond in the latter stages of their careers, the Warriors need Podz to take an even bigger leap next season. But the high expectations worry Slater and Kawakami. “I do have some doubts about his offensive scoring upside. I think he does so much of the glue stuff. Basically at this point guarantees he’s gonna be a great role player, like for a long time,” Anthony said on Warriors Plus Minus.

Although Brandin settled well into his limited role last year, Slater raised a big question, “But can he crack through that ceiling?… I am not sitting here to say that he cannot become that. But yes, pressure is on.” If it wasn’t for GSW’s reluctance to trade Podziemski, they might have bagged Lauri Markkanen and added a solid 25-point scorer alongside Steph. While we obviously cannot blame Podz for it, now, he might have to, probably prematurely, take on the superstar role that the Bay Area front office wanted Lauri to fill.

Can Brandin Podziemski live up to the expectations?

After his selection for the Rising Stars game at this year’s All-Star weekend, Brandin Podziemski revealed he wanted to be more than just a role player, “I want to be an All-Star, a Hall-of-Fame type player.” Calling his selection for the event the first step in that direction, he has high hopes for his career.

More importantly, even Warriors owner Joe Lacob has similar expectations from the young guard as he revealed during the Summer League broadcast, “He does so many things well. He’s ultra confident. He’s got an NBA body. He can get wherever he wants. He obviously can shoot threes. He can drive. He can pass. I mean, what can’t he do? We’re really excited. We think we’ve got a future All-Star. We really do.”

With the Warriors trusting in his abilities and not trading him to Utah, it is now time for Podz to hold his end of the bargain and turn into one of the primary options for Steve Kerr next season. Well, he has proven his doubters wrong all his life and he could do it again. Even during his freshman year at Illinois, Brandin had a disappointing start to his college career. He averaged only 1.4 points.

However, with everyone doubting his potential, he silenced his critics the following year after playing for Santa Clara, where he increased his averages to 19.9 points and 8.8 rebounds. And maybe it’s his undeterred confidence amid adversity that has made the Golden State Warriors believe and depend on the young star when they drafted him.

As the Warriors hope to make another title run in the Stephen Curry era, Brandin Podziemski will play a crucial role. Do you agree?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger