The Golden State Warriors drafted Brandin Podziemski with the 19th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, the rookie guard’s route toward legitimate playing time quickly became complicated as Golden State acquired Chris Paul and Cory Joseph during the early stages of the offseason. Suddenly, Podziemski looks like he could be the latest Warriors draft addition to struggling for developmental minutes.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Podziemski could undergo a ‘redshirt’ season with the Warriors. With so much guard talent in front of him in Golden State’s rotation, it’s unlikely the rookie will earn any significant playing time and could be destined for a year in the G-League as he continues to hone his craft.
“Chris Paul and the later signing of Cory Joseph may have blocked the 20-year-old from handling even emergency minutes in case of an injury,” Buckley wrote. “While his quick processing, shot-making, and secondary playmaking all feel like natural fits for this system, his athletic limitations were hard not to notice in summer league. Considering the athleticism will only elevate as he enters the “real” Association, this could easily become something akin to a redshirt season for the incoming rookie.”
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Podziemski played in all five of the Warriors’ summer league games in July, averaging 9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. However, the rookie struggled with his efficiency, hitting just 21.7% of his 3-point attempts and 26.3% of his shots from the field.
Given Golden State’s status as a contending team, Podziemski’s inefficient showings during the summer may have hindered any potential opportunities for NBA playing time in the upcoming season. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old could benefit from a year away from the limelight as he bids to improve his game and crack the rotation in the 2024-25 season.
