Brandin Podziemski quickly became a valuable rotation player in his rookie year, but now the question is where can the Golden State Warriors’ young guard go in his sophomore season?
The 21-year-old is already an elite rebounder, leading the league in rebounds and looking like a perfect fit for the Warriors’ offensive system. Yet with the All-Star potential label he and the team’s management have attached to him, it’s Podziemski’s scoring that will have to make a significant jump to reach that level.
Podziemski and Golden State know that the three-point shot can be the difference between a top player and a true star. Last year’s 19th overall pick shot 38.5 percent of his three-point attempts last season but made just 3.2 in 26.6 minutes per game.
In a recent interview With Anthony Slater of The Athletic reporting Wednesday, Podziemski revealed the team’s goal is for him to potentially triple his three-point attempts following the departure of veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson.
“They want me to take eight to 10 a game. That’s what they told me. All the ball types are different: dribble passes, off-ball screens, catch-and-shoot,” Podziemski told Slater.
That number immediately jumps out as a lofty goal. Sixteen players in the league made eight or more three-pointers per game last season, including Lauri Markkanen, who was at the center of Warriors trade rumors this offseason. Only five players made more than nine three-pointers per game: Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Thompson, Donovan Mitchell and LaMelo Ball.
Of the 16 players who averaged eight or more three-point attempts, only six shot better than Podziemski’s 38.5 percent shooting last season. That’s where the balance lies: Can attempts increase while still maintaining a healthy percentage?
Golden State doesn’t desperately need Podziemski to make 8-10 three-pointers per game. That may be the goal, but the additions of Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton, along with Andrew Wiggins’ return to mid-level play, mean there’s enough variety to try to replace Thompson without it all coming down to the second-year point guard.
If Podziemski can significantly increase his three-point attempts while continuing to shoot above 36-37%, it will be a tremendous result that speaks volumes about his current production and future potential. But if he falls below 35% in his efforts to take the 8-10 three-pointers the Warriors want from him, it could be an unnecessary detriment that will need to be rectified quickly.
