Podziemski eyes long-term Warriors extension

TL;DR

Podziemski Seeks Extension: Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski expressed desire for a long-term contract extension after his third NBA season.
13.8 PPG Average: He averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, with 37% from three and second-most charges drawn league-wide.[[1]](https://sfstandard.com/2026/04/20/warriors-brandin-podziemski-contract-extension-offseason-2026/)[[2]](https://sfstandard.com/2026/04/20/warriors-brandin-podziemski-contract-extension-offseason-2026)
$74M Projection: The team's AI tool KRISTAPS projects a four-year, $74 million deal as a possible extension value.[[1]](https://sfstandard.com/2026/04/20/warriors-brandin-podziemski-contract-extension-offseason-2026/)

The story at a glance

Brandin Podziemski, a third-year guard for the Golden State Warriors, spoke in exit interviews about wanting a rookie-scale contract extension this summer to stay long-term with the team that drafted him. The article details his 2025-26 season stats, performance ups and downs, and comparable extensions, while noting no deal yet means restricted free agency in 2027. This comes right after the Warriors' play-in loss, as the offseason negotiation window opens from the end of the NBA Finals until the 2026-27 season start.

Key points

Podziemski, 23, played all 82 games, one of only 18 players to do so, showing durability for the injury-prone Warriors.
Struggled as lead playmaker when Jimmy Butler (ACL tear) and Steph Curry (runner's knee) were out, but averaged 14.7 points on better efficiency in March and April in a secondary role.
Drew 23 charges, second in the NBA; one of 21 players averaging 13+ points, 5+ rebounds, 3+ assists, and 35%+ from three.
Owner Joe Lacob once called him All-Star potential; agent is Bill Duffy of WME Basketball.
Comparables: Jabari Smith Jr. (5 years, $122M), Dyson Daniels (4/$100M), Christian Braun (5/$125M), Shaedon Sharpe (4/$90M).
KRISTAPS AI predicts four years, $74 million; no extension means $5.7 million team option for 2026-27 already exercised, then restricted free agency.
Learned from teammates Jonathan Kuminga (no extension, left) and Moses Moody (3 years, $39M extension).

Details and context

Podziemski started slow amid preseason hype and social media polarization after saying he aimed to surpass Curry someday. The stretch without Curry and Butler exposed his limits as a primary creator but built experience that fueled a strong finish and play-in performance.

He credits February setbacks for teaching him to handle pressure, leading to success later. Staying with the drafting team matters to him, unlike Kuminga's situation.

The Warriors face cap constraints with aging stars like Curry and Draymond Green, making Podziemski's youth and versatility key for depth.

Key quotes

“I want to be here for the long term,” said Podziemski. “It’s always special having the team that drafted you, so hopefully we can get something done.”[[1]](https://sfstandard.com/2026/04/20/warriors-brandin-podziemski-contract-extension-offseason-2026/)

“I think it was very critical,” Podziemski said of the tough stretch without stars. “Going through those setbacks, failures, losing helped me... being successful.”

“I think both seeing Kuminga and Moses do two different things for me helped,” Podziemski said.

Why it matters

Podziemski offers the Warriors a cost-controlled, durable role player amid an aging core and injury issues, potentially stabilizing the backcourt long-term. For the team, a fair extension avoids restricted free agency drama like Kuminga's and preserves flexibility under the salary cap. Watch negotiations through October 2026; no deal leaves him controlled through 2026-27 but opens bidding wars in 2027.

What changed

Podziemski was on his rookie deal with a team option; the Warriors exercised the $5.7 million option for 2026-27 in October 2025, now making him extension-eligible this offseason.

FAQ

Q: What stats did Podziemski post in 2025-26?

A: He averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 37% from three, while drawing 23 charges (second in NBA) and playing all 82 games. He improved to 14.7 points in March-April.

Q: How does Podziemski's projected extension compare to peers?

A: KRISTAPS predicts four years, $74 million; comparables include Shaedon Sharpe (4/$90M), Christian Braun (5/$125M), and Jabari Smith Jr. (5/$122M). Dyson Daniels got 4/$100M.

Q: What did Podziemski learn from Kuminga and Moody?

A: He saw Kuminga leave without extension and Moody sign 3 years/$39M, viewing pros and cons of both paths as a teammate. Unlike Kuminga, Podziemski wants to stay.

Q: When is the extension window?

A: Negotiations run from the end of NBA Finals until the 2026-27 season opener; deadline is around October 31, 2026, before restricted free agency in 2027.