Warriors lock in Brandin Podziemski with five-year, $110 million extension

WhyNBA Sports Desk · Oct 14, 2026

The story

SAN FRANCISCO — Oct. 10, 2026 — The Golden State Warriors and guard Brandin Podziemski have agreed to a five-year, $110 million fully guaranteed rookie-scale contract extension, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The story

The deal includes a mutual option in the fifth year (2031-32) and a trade kicker.

How the money is structured

Podziemski will finish this season on the last year of his rookie deal at $5.6 million. The extension begins in 2027-28 at $18.9 million, then steps to about $20.4 million, $22 million and $23.5 million before a roughly $25 million mutual option in 2031-32.

How the money is structured

The mutual option lets either side opt in—but not opt out—of the final season, which can reopen extension talks that summer.

How the money is structured

By locking him in now, Golden State avoids restricted free agency next summer.

How the money is structured

Podziemski’s projected cap hold next year was around $17 million; the $18.9 million first-year salary costs a little more in cash but, combined with other roster moves, still leaves the Warriors with an estimated $55 million to $60 million in potential space, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

Why Golden State moved early

Podziemski, 23, was the 19th pick in 2023 and the first draft choice of general manager Mike Dunleavy’s tenure. Last season he averaged a career-high 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.08 steals in 82 games—one of only 18 NBA players to play every night.

Why Golden State moved early

The Warriors announced the extension without releasing terms; Dunleavy called him a durable two-way piece whose trajectory is still rising.

Why Golden State moved early

Podziemski said the deal showed the organization’s faith in him and that he owes that trust back on the floor.

Why Golden State moved early

Coach Steve Kerr has described him as a connector who makes teammates better, citing plus-minus and charge-drawing numbers that have ranked among the league’s best at the guard spot since he entered the NBA.

Why Golden State moved early

Sources cited by name: Shams Charania and Anthony Slater (ESPN); Bill Duffy (WME); Golden State Warriors; Bobby Marks (ESPN); Steve Kerr.

WhyNBA Sports Desk

The WhyNBA Sports Desk writes basketball explainers and dated news briefs. Official references stay with each guide.

Photo credit

Chase Center exterior, September 2019. File photo: Dale Cruse / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0. Resized.

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