Brandin Podziemski’s first season in the NBA was a great one and he averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Golden State Warriors.
Because he did so well, there were rumors and speculation about Podziemski being traded to another team in the summer.
But that was something he never had to truly worry about.
According to the New York Times, per Hoops Hype, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. assured Podziemski that he wasn’t leaving the team.
“A lot of these other teams are calling about you,” Podziemski said Dunleavy told him. “They want you, but you’re not going anywhere. You’re ours.”
This happened on draft night a couple of months ago, as rumors swirled around the Warriors and their path forward.
Golden State had a very rough season last year and didn’t even reach the playoffs.
When summer rolled around, most fans assumed that some big changes would be made to the roster.
The Warriors have a few players they can use as assets and Podziemski is one of them.
But Dunleavy’s statement makes it clear that the team wants to hold onto Podziemski for the long-term future.
This makes sense because of his rookie season stats and also because the Warriors are now without Klay Thompson.
Podziemski could be a great replacement for Thompson’s output on the court and in a few months he could be the second half of the new-look Splash Brothers with Steph Curry.
There is no doubt that other teams want Podziemski, but the Warriors are holding onto him.
But will they still say the same thing if this next season is just as bad as the last?
