Brandin Podziemski’s playoff emergence echoed through Chase Center just as Jonathan Kuminga’s Golden State Warriors future slipped into uncertainty. It’s funny how two young careers in the same locker room can be heading in such different directions. Ever since stepping into San Francisco, Kuminga’s time with the team has been a frustrating dance—short bursts of opportunity, then stretches of waiting on the sidelines. For someone drafted in the top 10, blessed with elite athleticism, the lack of consistent trust has been puzzling.
The drama reached its boiling point this offseason. At 22, Kuminga decided to turn down a two-year, $45 million offer, letting talks drag on through July. That decision didn’t just spark headlines—it lit up conversations across the league. Here’s a young, exciting wing who can dazzle in flashes, yet whose place in Golden State’s plans feels more rumor than reality. And now, his story is becoming entangled with another up-and-comer in the Bay—Podziemski.
While Jonathan Kuminga navigated contract stalemates and trade whispers, the Warriors were quietly celebrating what looked like a developmental win. Podziemski, also 22, had been carving out a role of his own. Before the Jimmy Butler trade last winter, he was averaging just 24.1 minutes across his first 36 games. Then, almost overnight, things changed. His minutes climbed, his responsibilities deepened, and Steve Kerr made it clear—this was a young guard the Warriors were serious about grooming alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Some fans spotted the shift before the box scores caught up. To them, it was the clearest sign yet that GSW was charting a path for Brandin Podziemski’s growth. Now, more recently, 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins put words to what many might have been thinking.
“The reports came out, and I’m still just disappointed in the Golden State Warriors. And then I got to thinking, well, Mike Dunleavy is there, he didn’t draft Jonathan Kuminga. Steve Kerr never embraced Jonathan Kuminga… Bob Myers drafted Jonathan Kuminga. And I started to think, like, well, Podziemski is getting more than a, more than the opportunity, in my opinion. Like, he’s getting a better opportunity than Jonathan Kuminga is,” Perk said on Road Trippin podcast.
Oct 30, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) huddles with guard Brandin Podziemski (2) during the game against New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Perkins’ point hit a nerve. Was it just about performance? Or were front office politics and draft history shaping who gets the green light in Golden State?
Brandin Podziemski embodies the Warriors’ emphasis on finding the right fit
If you’ve been following the Warriors’ journey lately, you probably noticed Podziemski carving out his place in impressive fashion. Since the Butler trade, he’s not just putting up strong numbers—15.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.4 made threes per game, with shooting splits of 45.7, 40.2 and 72.7—but doing it in a way that truly supports the team’s DNA.
What makes him stand out isn’t just the box score, but his knack for moving without the ball, slipping into open spaces, and making defenses pay in catch-and-shoot scenarios. Compare that with Kuminga, who hit 34.8 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, while Podziemski buried 39.7 percent—an eye-popping 42.7 percent after that trade.
And it’s not just about shooting: his set shot opens up the court, while his ability to attack closeouts and finish with crafty southpaw floaters and layups adds another layer to his impact. As the season unfolded, you can’t help but wonder if Podziemski’s emergence has given the Warriors a reason to rethink their roster priorities, especially when it comes to Jonathan Kuminga.
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