The Golden State Warriors and starting guard Brandin Podziemski have agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract extension, agent Bill Duffy told ESPN's Shams Charania, avoiding restricted free agency next summer. The fully guaranteed deal includes a mutual option in the final season (2031-32) and a trade kicker. The mutual option allows either side to opt in, but not opt out, of that final season, reopening extension conversations that offseason.
Podziemski, 23, is entering his fourth season after the Warriors selected him 19th overall in the 2023 NBA draft. He will make $5.6 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal, jumping to $18.9 million next season in the first year of the extension. Keeping that initial salary manageable was an important point for Golden State, which has been protecting its 2027-28 cap space while convincing superstar Stephen Curry that taking a $10 million pay cut for next season serves the team's flexibility in his final seasons.
Expectations are modest for the Warriors this season. They are without starting wings Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, both rehabbing serious knee injuries, and it remains unclear when Kristaps Porzingis will return from a health issue. Podziemski's presence has been a constant, however. He was one of only 18 NBA players to appear in all 82 games last season, setting career highs in points per game (13.8), made 3s, assists and steals.
Coach Steve Kerr calls Podziemski a "connector" and praised his impact. "Brandin is a huge part of our team," Kerr said. "He makes people better. He understands the game." Podziemski is also an elite rebounder for a guard, averaging more than five per game in all three of his seasons. The extension's annual raises run from $18.9 million up to a $25 million mutual option in the final year.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing