The star players on the Golden State Warriors don’t have much to prove at this point, especially Steph Curry, who has already established himself as the most elite shooter and one of the best all-around guards to ever play the game.
But, a former first-round pick of the Warriors will enter the ’26-27 season with plenty to prove.
Brandin Podziemski Named Golden State Warriors Player With Most to Prove Next Season
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during their game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on January 19, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report recently named the one player on every team in the league with the most to prove next season, and fourth-year guard Brandin Podziemski was the pick for Golden State.
Podziemski has started in 108 games for the Warriors over the past three seasons, but his development has left something to be desired when it comes to his ability to generate his own offense. That’s an area where the Warriors are going to need to see some improvement if Podziemski is going to remain a major piece of the puzzle for the team moving forward.
“For a Golden State Warriors team in desperate need of shot-creators and self-sufficient scorers who can compromise defenses off the dribble, Podziemski has still fallen short. It may be too much to ask of the athletically limited guard that he suddenly become a blow-by threat on the ball. Podziemski’s relatively slow mechanics may never be suited to quick-trigger shooting on the bounce,” Hughes wrote.
“But nobody else on Golden State’s roster is any more capable of filling those voids than Podz, a very good young player who just happens to lack the few specific things his team needs most. If he can’t provide more of them in his fourth season, it’ll be hard for him to feature as a key piece moving forward.”
Podziemski averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Warriors last season.
Brandin Podziemski Eligible For An Extension This Offseason
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesPHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 08: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at PHX Arena on April 08, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Podziemski is eligible to sign an extension with the Warriors this offseason, but it remains to be seen if a deal will get done. Nothing has come to fruition yet, but there’s still time before the start of the season for the two sides to reach an agreement. Podziemski has previously expressed a desire to remain in Golden State long-term.
“I want to be here for the long term,” Podziemski said. “It’s always special having the team that drafted you, so hopefully we can get something done.”
It will be interesting to see if the two sides are able to work something out before the start of the season, or if Podziemski will enter the campaign on an expiring contract.
Former First-Round Pick Named Warriors Player With Most to Prove Next Season