With their training camp less than a month away, we're beginning to get a better idea of what the Golden State Warriors will look like next season. They added the likes of Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Milton, and Buddy Hield, all of whom they seemingly have big expectations for.
However, young players such as Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski will help to determine just how good they are next season. Podziemski, in particular, seems to have a lot of expectations surrounding him.
The Warriors clearly have faith in Podziemski after they made him untouchable in trade talks for Lauri Markkanen. So much so that according to the Athletics Anthony Slater, they want him to shoot between eight and 10 threes a game.
Brandin Podziemski said Kerr/Dunleavy want him around 8-10 attempted 3s per game next season. He wants to cut out the floaters/hooks and take more mid-range.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) August 28, 2024
Here’s more on Podziemski’s summer https://t.co/HoWBDpt3K9
The Golden State Warriors have faith in second-year player Brandin Podziemski's potential.
That's an eye-popping number considering that only 10 players attempted at least eight threes per game last season and only two attempted at least 10, with Steph Curry leading the league with 11.8. Not just that but even getting up eight threes in a game is difficult to do unless he's taking some threes off the dribble.
Then there is the matter of accuracy. Taking that volume of threes only works if he is one of the best shooters in the NBA. He doesn't appear to be that but if he can shoot 37% on at least 8 attempts per game, that would translate to almost three made threes or 8.9 points per game.
Add in him taking four or five 2-point shot attempts per game and shooting around league average and Podziemski could average at least 15 points next season. Curiously, Klay Thompson shot nine threes per game last season and Podziemski will continue to start at his old position and his goal is between his average.
That surely factored into Golden State's decision not to re-sign Thompson, with Podz being just 21 years old and having untapped potential. We'll soon see whether the Warriors are warranted in having such faith in him. If he turns out to be the player they expect, Kuminga levels up, their free agents hit, and Curry is Curry, then Golden State might just be a sleeping giant next season.