Throughout the offseason, the Golden State Warriors have looked for different ways to improve their roster. Following the departure of star point guard Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks in free agencyGolden State has tried to bring in more talent.
More news: NBA Legend Wants to See Giannis Antetokounmpo Team Up With Steph Curry on Warriors
To their credit, management did pivot after Thompson left. They signed shooting guard Buddy Hield, guard De’Anthony MeltonAnd forward Kyle Anderson to help replace some depth.
But the Warriors know that for the team to truly compete for a title, they need more. That’s why they tried to sign star forward Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers and Lauri Markkanen, star big man Utah Jazz.
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Neither deal went through, but that was partly due to the Warriors’ insistence on not including young point guard Brandin Podziemski. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. told Podziemski the team wouldn’t trade him for any of its star players.
“A lot of other teams are calling you,” Podziemski said Dunleavy told him, “They want you, but you’re not going anywhere. You’re ours.”
While Podziemski had a promising rookie season, leaving him out of the lineup to get either star is an interesting choice. Golden State wanted to extend its win window with star Stephen Curry on the roster, so Podziemski’s absence is odd.
The rookie averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last season over 74 games. He’s expected to play a bigger role next season and can use the confidence gained from the team’s faith in him to help him have an even bigger year.
“He told me, ‘You have nothing to fear. You are a priority here.'” Podziemski said“I appreciate that, as a rookie going into my second year, to hear that from such a prestigious organization. It feels good. I’m wanted somewhere. So, I appreciate them.
“They could keep me in the dark until a trade is made. But Mike and Joe have been transparent from the draft to the Paul George situation and the Markkanen situation.”
George ended up signing with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency while Markkanen landed a massive expansion with Jazz. Both players would have largely swung the Western Conference power back in the Warriors’ favor, but Golden State was unwilling to present its best offer.
Podziemski is a good player who could develop someday. But unless he develops into an All-Star talent, this move could cost the Warriors. Curry won’t play at a high level for long, and Golden State could be missing out on a chance to win another title.
More news: Steph Curry changes Instagram profile, no longer includes Warriors
