Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski Says It’s ‘Very Fun’ Being In Trade Rumors

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski is having “fun” being in NBA trade rumors. 

The Warriors are interested in acquiring Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz want Podziemski.

“It’s very fun for me actually. I love it,” Podziemski said on The Dinner Table podcast on July 25. “It’s cool to see different things every day, people’s comments, and if I should be [traded] or shouldn’t be. For me, from a basketball perspective, social media aside, I try to put that away and just work on what I can control right now.”

Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks this past season for the Warriors while shooting 45.4% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 63.3% from the free-throw line. 

Golden State drafted Podziemski with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara. 

“No one likes to admit it, but everybody sees the good and the bad,” Podziemski said. “For me, I think the bad can just be used as motivation. Obviously, my name has been in the Markkanen trade a lot, so if the trade doesn’t go through and I’m still here, to have a good second year and be like, ‘Good thing we didn’t trade him,’ would be cool for me.”

The Jazz are not actively shopping Markkanen, but if they receive a massive offer for the forward, a trade could happen. 

One of the best players in the NBA, Markkanen becomes extension eligible on August 6. He’s on an expiring $18 million contract and due for a big long-term raise.

The Warriors and San Antonio Spurs remain in pursuit of Markkanen, NBA sources told Hoops Wire. 

“If I’m in a Warriors uniform or if I’m in a different uniform come October, that’s where I’ll be,” Podziemski said. “Training camp starts October 1, so whatever group of guys I’m with is the ones I got to win with. So that’s just kind of how I look at it. I don’t really look too much into where I’m going to be or where I’m not going to be.”