If you’ve been watching the Golden State Warriors lately, you know the vibe is... complicated. One night they’re blowing the doors off the Kings, and the next they’re getting dismantled by the Hawks. Right in the middle of this whirlpool is Brandin Podziemski.
The kid was the darling of the Bay Area last year. He took charges, he rebounded like a power forward, and he basically forced Steve Kerr to play him over expensive veterans. But man, things have changed. Looking at Brandin Podziemski last 10 games, we aren't seeing that same "can't-miss" Sparkplug. Instead, we’re seeing a young player trying to find his legs in a rotation that’s suddenly very crowded with guys like Jimmy Butler and De’Anthony Melton.
Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. He’s still doing the little things, but the scoring has become a giant question mark.
The Brutal Reality of the Stat Sheet
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the numbers because they tell a pretty loud story. In his last outing against the Hawks on January 11, Podz only managed 3 points in 16 minutes. He was a -21. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy the front office reportedly refused to trade for Lauri Markkanen over the summer.
But then you look at the Sacramento game just two days prior. He put up 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting and was a +28. How do you explain that? It’s basically the Brandin Podziemski experience in a nutshell right now: total brilliance followed by a disappearing act.
Over this ten-game stretch, he’s averaging right around 10 points per game. That’s a slight dip from his season average of 11.9. The real issue is the consistency. He had a 19-point outburst against Charlotte where he looked like a Splash Brother Lite, hitting five triples. Then, he followed that up with a 2-point dud against Milwaukee.
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His shooting splits in this window are hovering around 43% from the field. That’s not "get him out of the league" bad, but for a team that desperately needs spacing when Steph Curry sits, it’s not quite enough.
The Rotation Crunch and the "Honeymoon" Phase
There is a lot of talk in the Bay right now about the "honeymoon" being over. Last year, Podz was the fresh face. Everything he did was a bonus. Now? The expectations are through the roof.
Steve Kerr is in a weird spot. He loves Podziemski’s "connector" skills—the way he moves the ball and finds the open man. But with Jimmy Butler now in the mix, the ball isn’t in Podz’s hands as much. He’s being asked to be more of a traditional spacer, and that’s where the struggle lies.
- Spot Starts: When Steph had that ankle tweak recently, Podz jumped into the starting lineup against OKC. He dropped 12 points and 4 assists. He’s clearly more comfortable when he has the rhythm of a starter.
- Bench Role: Coming off the pine, his minutes have been hovering between 16 and 24. It’s hard to find a flow when you’re looking over your shoulder.
- The Defense Problem: Some scouts have started pointing out that Podz is getting "hunted" on defense. He’s 6'5", but he doesn't have a massive wingspan. Faster guards are starting to blow by him, and that’s cutting into his playing time.
Why the Rebounding Still Matters
Even when his shot isn't falling, Podziemski is still a weirdly elite rebounder for a guard. In the Utah game on January 3rd, he only scored 6 points, but he grabbed 6 boards and dished out 8 assists.
That’s the "winning player" stuff that keeps him in the rotation. Most guards who shoot 2-for-7 would be a net negative, but Podz finds ways to be useful. He’s currently averaging about 4.5 rebounds on the season, and he’s kept that pace up over the last 10 games.
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He’s basically a glue guy who is being asked to play like a third star. That’s a lot of weight for a 22-year-old. Steph Curry actually mentioned this recently, saying the young guys are feeling a "weight" heavier than most. You can see it in Brandin’s face sometimes when a shot clanks off the rim—he’s overthinking.
Breaking Down the Last 10 Game Splits
If we look at the specific game log from late December through mid-January, the volatility is wild.
Against Milwaukee on January 7, he played 22 minutes and only took 5 shots. He finished with 2 points. Compare that to the Chicago game in December where he was a flamethrower with 21 points and 7 assists.
The common thread? Aggression.
When Podz is hesitant, he’s just a guy on the floor. When he’s decisive—driving to the rim or letting that lefty triple fly without thinking—he changes the geometry of the Warriors' offense.
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The free throw shooting has been a bright spot, though. He’s been getting to the line more frequently and knocking them down at a 76% clip. In that Kings win, he went 6-for-6 from the stripe. That’s growth. Last year, he’d shy away from contact; now, he’s at least looking to draw fouls when the jumper isn't falling.
What’s Next for Podz?
The Warriors are 21-19. They’re hovering in that dangerous Play-In territory. If they want to make a real run, they need the "December version" of Podziemski, not the "January version."
Trade rumors are starting to swirl, too. You hate to see it, but names like Moses Moody and Podziemski are the only real assets the Warriors have if they want to go big-game hunting before the deadline.
To stay out of those trade talks, Podz needs to stabilize his three-point shot. He’s hovering around 39% for the season, which is great, but over the last 5 games, that number has dipped significantly.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
Watching Brandin Podziemski last 10 games gives us a roadmap of what he needs to fix to reclaim his spot as the definitive "third guy" in Golden State.
- Stop the Hesitation: He’s passed up open threes to drive into crowded lanes. If he’s open, he has to shoot. Period.
- Focus on Point-of-Attack Defense: He’s getting beat off the dribble too easily. If he can’t stay in front of his man, Kerr will keep leaning on De’Anthony Melton.
- Embrace the Secondary Playmaker Role: When Butler and Curry are on the floor, Podz needs to be the "relief valve." He’s great at the "hockey assist," and the Warriors need more of that.
- Stay Aggressive on the Boards: His rebounding is his ticket to staying on the floor. If that drops off, his value plummets.
The talent is obviously there. You don't lead the league in charges drawn as a rookie by accident. But the NBA is a "what have you done for me lately" league. Right now, Podziemski is in a dogfight to prove he’s a cornerstone and not just a high-level role player. The next 10 games might just decide his future in a Warriors uniform.