Teams around the league are getting to work on rookie extension deals prior to training camp, but no deal has been forthcoming for Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski at this stage.
Two major deals were made on Friday, with Keyonte George and the Utah Jazz, and Pelle Larsson and the Miami Heat, agreeing to respective contracts that take them out of next year's restricted free agency pool. While that in itself is notable for a Warrior team who project to have cap space next summer, the more important short-term ramification is that it might have just made a Podziemski extension more expensive.
Heat and Jazz just made Brandin Podziemski more expensive for Warriors
Despite an already growing payroll after acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr. at February’s mid-season trade deadline, the Jazz and George have been able to agree on a five-year, $157.5 million extension. Larsson, meanwhile, has locked in a four-year, $60 million deal in Miami to continue what’s been a big offseason at the Heat.
Further attention now turns to the Warriors and what could happen with Podziemski after two of his fellow young guards just got paid. The former 19th overall pick hasn't been as productive nor seemingly has the upside of George, but he is more proven than Larsson while also being younger and holding the stature of a former first-round pick -- Larsson was a 44th overall pick in the second-round.
That would therefore place Podziemski's value right in the middle of the two contracts just handed out. If George gets just over $30 million per season and Larsson $15 million annually, Podziemski will rightfully ask for somewhere in the $20-23 million range.
It provides the 23-year-old with even more leverage. There was a thought that Golden State could land Podziemski on a deal around $15 million per year, but that seems highly unlikely given Larsson just generated that number.
Warriors might let Brandin Podziemski hit restricted free agency
These situations are often about context, which is why the Warriors might be happy to let Podziemski hit restricted free agency unless he's willing to take an incredibly team-friendly deal in the vicinity of what Larsson just got.
The Jazz didn't/don't project to have cap space next summer with Jackson and Lauri Markkanen on multi-year max contracts, nor did the Heat who just made their blockbuster move for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Warriors, on the other hand, do project to have significant money to spend in free agency next year, leaving the strong possibility that they leave Podziemski waiting to allow themselves further flexibility moving forward.
