Beware of Overpaying! Reporter Analyzes Podziemski Extension, Warriors Have Options and Do Not Need to Rush Spending

The Warriors' 2026 offseason operations are basically settled, as they completed roster additions, signed two-way contract players, and also gave former first-round pick Dalen Terry a workout opportunity. However, two major matters that do not need to be finalized immediately will determine the team's short-term and long-term future: one is Stephen Curry's extension, as his current contract expires after this season; the other is Brandin Podziemski's rookie-scale extension.

The Warriors must complete early extension negotiations before October 19; otherwise, Podziemski will become a restricted free agent next summer.

This extension negotiation will have a major impact on the Warriors' future salary cap space. If they act aggressively, the Warriors could have as much as $130 million in cap space next summer; but if Curry signs a two-year, $137 million maximum contract, the potential space would be reduced by half; and extending Podziemski now would also consume part of that space.

Podziemski averaged 13.8 points per game last season. He is a guard with strong rebounding ability, but his overall career performance still has limitations: he has a 45.2% field-goal percentage and a 37.5% three-point percentage, and his current role is only that of a fringe starter or a quality sixth or seventh man. Most league executives believe that even if he enters free agency, he could receive offers at the mid-level exception range, around $16 million per year; however, there is major disagreement around his salary ceiling.

Bay Area reporter Tim Kawakami provided a reference point on the podcast "Warriors Plus/Minus": the Nuggets' five-year, $125 million contract for Christian Braun ($25 million annually) represents Podziemski's theoretical extension ceiling, while the contract floor would be slightly above the $15 million annual salary level of the non-Bird exception.

"I do not want to start an argument, but Braun's five-year, $125 million contract is the price ceiling for Podziemski. His floor would be slightly higher than $15 million."

Before Braun signed that large contract, he averaged 15.4 points per game with a 39.7% three-point percentage; but in the first season after signing the new deal, his numbers dropped to 12 points per game and he appeared in only 44 games. The contract is widely viewed as an overpay and directly led the Nuggets to trade Peyton Watson during the offseason to ease salary pressure.

Media analysis suggests that for Podziemski, who has not yet proven significant growth, the Warriors have no need to approach Braun's contract level. Even if they do not extend him early, the Warriors hold matching rights as a restricted free agent and can match any outside offer next summer; additionally, without an early extension, Podziemski would be easier to place on the trade market during this season's trade window.

In other words, $125 million is only a theoretical ceiling, and the Warriors currently have little reason to offer a deal close to that figure.