How Does Extending a 23-Year-Old Guard Set Up the Future for the 26-27 Warriors?
Golden State has begun to make a few long-term preparations for Stephen Curry's retirement. After his newly signed two-year extension expires, possibly in 2029, the greatest player in their franchise history will finally hang up his shoes. The 2009 seventh overall pick has given his all to this organization, but Golden State may have just signaled that it’s slowly time to look further ahead. Earlier this morning, the team agreed to a large five-year, $110 million deal with Brandin Podziemski. The Wisconsin native will enter his fourth season with the Golden State Warriors and is widely regarded as a potential successor to the four-time NBA Champion. While many still await the 23-year-old to take another leap, he has shown flashes as both a scorer and a distributor.
The 2022 NBA Champions have now tied down another young asset, and couple him with the rookie contract of forward Yaxel Lenderborg. Barring any major performance dips after his recovery, Moses Moody will likely get an extension offer in one of the next two offseasons. Those three players will, in all likelihood, form a brand new core for the Warriors to build around as they transition into a new era after their aging group steps away from basketball. If this transpires to their liking, Golden State will have a great balance between Moody’s shooting and defense, Podziemski’s tenacity and playmaking, and Lenderborg’s athletic package.
Even more good news, this agreement also wouldn’t necessarily put the team in much of a financial predicament as well. Next season, he will take up only 10.7% of the organization’s player payroll, which isn’t very much at all for a starting-caliber talent. This will free up Mike Dunleavy with roughly $60 million to pursue a big-name free agent like Nikola Jokic, whose contract with Denver expires following this campaign. With a relatively even contract structure, Podziemski gives quite a friendly economic hit to those who put their trust in him during the 2024 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, he will bet on himself to level up and become the kind of player the Golden State Warriors want him to be, and possibly open up restructuring negotiations down the line.
