NBA trade idea sends Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski to Mavericks

The Mavericks and Warriors may not be done dealing with each other just yet. At least, that’s the idea behind a recent trade proposal making the rounds.

In a Bleacher Report roundup of offseason ideas, the framework looks like this:

Warriors receive: Naji Marshall, 2030 second-round pick
Mavericks receive: Brandin Podziemski

Simple on paper. Interesting in theory.

Podziemski, still just 23, has quietly carved out a role in Golden State. He’s averaging 13.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting a respectable 44.6 percent from the field and better than 36 percent from deep.

In other words, he does a little bit of everything. 

For Dallas, the appeal is obvious. Add a young, versatile guard who can play on or off the ball. Someone who fits timelines, not just lineups.

For Golden State, it’s a different conversation.

The Warriors have been walking that tightrope between now and later for a while. Stephen Curry isn’t getting younger. The front office knows it. So the question becomes simple:

Do you move a promising young piece for depth and flexibility?

Marshall isn’t flashy, but he defends, rebounds and fits the mold of a rotation wing. Add in a future second, and maybe it’s enough to at least think about it.

Still, Podziemski has been viewed as part of the next wave in Golden State. Not untouchable. But not someone you toss in lightly, either.

That’s what makes this one more “file it away” than “this is happening.” Then again, in today’s NBA, we’ve seen stranger things.

Just ask Dallas.