The Golden State Warriors announced Brandin Podziemski’s contract extension on October 10, securing a guard who played every game last season. The reported five-year, $110 million agreement begins in 2027/28 and runs through 2031/32, with a mutual option covering the final season. It removes the prospect of restricted free agency next summer and gives Golden State a clearer view of its future payroll.
Golden State opens against the Lakers on October 21. As basketball live scores come in, early results will begin testing preseason bets on the Warriors’ win total. The extension itself rewards three seasons of progress, not an opening-night score.
Three seasons of steady improvement
Podziemski’s scoring average has increased in each NBA season since Golden State selected him with the 19th pick in the 2023 draft. He appeared in all 82 regular-season games in 2025/26, starting 43 and averaging 28.5 minutes.
| Season | Points per game |
| 2023/24 | 9.2 |
| 2024/25 | 11.7 |
| 2025/26 | 13.8 |
Last season he also averaged 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 45.5% from the field. His 153 three-pointers ranked second on the Warriors behind Curry’s 190. Those contributions explain why the front office values him beyond his scoring average: he can help on the glass, move the ball and remain available throughout the schedule.
General manager Mike Dunleavy described the guard as a durable, skilled contributor whose role has continued to grow. Coach Steve Kerr welcomed the agreement before Saturday’s preseason game against Sacramento, saying the settled contract would let Podziemski concentrate on basketball.
Later that night, Podziemski scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds and provided four assists in 26 minutes as Golden State beat Sacramento 111–106 in preseason play. The performance offered a timely example of his versatility, although preseason results cannot establish regular-season form.
Why the new salary begins in 2027
The distinction matters for Golden State’s finances. Podziemski is still due approximately $5.6 million under his existing rookie contract in 2026/27. His new deal begins at a reported $18.9 million in 2027/28. That figure sits relatively close to the roughly $17 million cap hold he would otherwise have carried into the offseason, limiting the immediate difference between the two scenarios.
The agreement was reached ahead of the October 19 deadline for extensions, avoiding months of uncertainty over an eventual restricted free-agent negotiation. The mutual option leaves both sides a decision before the final season.
For season-win betting, the agreement settles one personnel question without changing the roster immediately. Season-long odds reflect expected form across months, unlike football live markets, where a goal can shift prices within seconds. Golden State still needs results to justify any higher expectations.
The move is part of a wider push for continuity. Golden State extended Curry in September and retained Draymond Green, Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II. After a 37–45 finish and tenth place in the West last season, the Warriors are keeping familiar contributors while seeking stronger results.
A useful partner for Curry
The size of the extension does not mean Podziemski must become the team’s primary scorer. Curry remains central to the attack, while the Warriors have retained contributors elsewhere in the rotation. Podziemski offers Kerr flexibility in lineups that need another ball-handler without sacrificing rebounding from the guard positions.
Three parts of his game are particularly relevant:
- Off-ball shooting: His three-point accuracy helps keep space available when Curry draws defensive attention.
- Rebounding: Five rebounds per game from a guard can help the Warriors finish defensive possessions.
- Secondary creation: His passing provides another way to initiate attacks when opponents pressure Curry.
That versatility matters over a long season, especially when injuries or uneven shooting force changes to the starting lineup. His durability gives Kerr one consistent backcourt option across demanding stretches.
Results still matter more than the contract
Golden State finished last season outside the Western Conference’s top eight, leaving Kerr with work beyond settling contracts. His rotation must produce more reliable results against stronger opponents, particularly when Curry rests or the offense stalls. Podziemski’s versatility can help, but the extension alone changes neither the standings nor the level of competition.
The first test comes in Los Angeles on October 21, followed by home games against Memphis and a trip to Phoenix during the opening week. Podziemski enters October with his contract settled and an established rotation role. Whether he becomes a larger offensive presence will be decided by performances, not by the size of the agreement.
