Warriors Told Young Player He Wouldn’t Be Traded Amid Markkanen Rumors

Brandin Podziemski, a second-year player for the Golden State Warriors, said he was told by owner Joe Lacob that he had nothing to worry about amid rumors he could be part of a package used to acquire Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.

“He told me, ‘You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re a priority here,'” Podziemski told The Athletic’s Anthony Slater in an August 28 story. “I appreciate that, being a rookie and going into my second year, hearing that from such a prestigious organization. It feels good. I’m wanted somewhere. So, I appreciate them.”

Markkanen eventually signed a five-year extension on August 13, putting an end to widespread rumors that Podziemski was a potential trade candidate.

“They could keep me in the dark until a trade is done,” Podziemski said, according to Slater. “But Mike [Dunleavy, general manager] and Joe were transparent, from the draft to the Paul George situation to the Markkanen situation.”

Warriors Fans Putting Pressure on Brandin Podziemski

Podziemski will now face even more pressure than he already would’ve dealt with as a young NBA player. He told Slater that he’d heard the fans, media and others question the Warriors’ decision not to trade him.

“From a fan perspective, from a media perspective, there is this looking at the front office kind of crazy,” Podziemski said. “Like, ‘You didn’t make any trades? You want to keep Brandin? Why him?’ There are questions that obviously the public and the media has.

“I see my fair share of it. It’s cool, and it’s not. It’s cool to see you’re valued by another organization in the NBA for such a good player like Markkanen. But at the same time, now that the trade didn’t go through, people on social media look at it like it’s my fault. I don’t have anything to do with it. But it’s cool.”

Podziemski’s pressure will be on performing at a level similar to what Markkanen would’ve done for the Warriors. Markkanen, 27, averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season. He also shot 39.9% from 3-point range on 8.0 attempts per game.

In his rookie season, Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on average of 26.2 minutes per game.

Should the Warriors Have Traded Podziemski?

If the hold-up in a deal with the Jazz was Podziemski for Markkanen, the Warriors seemingly have plenty of trust in the 21-year-old to turn into an elite-level player.

While Podziemski played well in his rookie campaign, Markkanen could’ve been the perfect win-now — as well as long-term — player for the Warriors.

In a post-Stephen Curry era, Markkanen could’ve been the next face of the franchise. Podziemski will hope to become that one day.

Despite the pressure, Podziemski said he wasn’t nervous to exceed expectations and would continue to be himself.

“I think for me, anything in life, if you do something good, with good comes expectation,” Podziemski said, according to Slater.

“I mean, I won’t go into games thinking about it. I just know what I’ve done all offseason,” sai I know how much better of a player I’m going to be. Obviously, I have expectations for myself to perform. This is my job. But I don’t think there’s any nervousness to exceed expectations. I’m just going to be me.”