Drafted in 19th position in 2023, Brandin Podziemski blew everyone away on the Warriors side, even pushing Klay Thompson to the bench. This success was even rewarded with a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. But there is always a downside to success. As the player's value increases, he could be used as a bargaining chip, and his name has been circulating on the Utah side since the Lauri Markannen track appeared in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“It’s really funny to me actually. I love it.”, Warriors' back is having fun. “It's cool to see different things every day, like people's comments, whether I should be traded or not. From a basketball standpoint, social media aside, I'm trying to put that aside and just work on what I can control right now.”
A source of motivation
Some, however, tend to distance themselves from social networks, like Victor Wembanyama or Domantas Sabonis or even Aliyah Boston who completely deleted them in the WNBA. The Warriors' replacement, for his part, watches them and is interested in what can be said about him.
“Nobody likes to admit it, but everyone sees…the good and the bad.”he adds. “I personally think the bad can just be used as motivation. Obviously, my name was brought up a lot in the Markkanen trade, so if the trade doesn't happen and I'm still here having a second good season, seeing some 'Thank goodness we didn't trade him,' would be cool for me.”
So, Brandin Podziemski can find some motivation in his use of social media just as he can find some validation in having had a good first season.
“It's proof that I'm doing the right thing and that everything I tried to do in my first year was good. I'll do it again in my second year.”says the former Santa Clara player. “Just having a bigger role in this second year is something I'm looking forward to.”
Especially since there is no longer Klay Thompson to block his path, and his leaders are keen on him…
