Why Podz Isn’t Bothered by ‘Fun’ Offseason Trade Rumors About Him originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Brandin Podziemski’s name has come up often this offseason after his strong debut year with the Warriors.
His rising value has made him a popular trade chip candidate should Golden State make a move for a star this summer. In particular, reports have emerged alleging Podziemski is the main focus to the Utah Jazz in a possible trade for Lauri Markkanen.
Despite frequent online notoriety, the young guard is enjoying seeing his name circulate around NBA trade rumors.
“It’s a lot of fun for me, actually. I love it,” Podziemski admitted in Podcast “The Dinner Table” on July 25th. “It’s cool to see different things every day – people’s comments, and whether I should be [traded] or shouldn’t be.
“For me, from a basketball standpoint, social media aside, I try to put that aside and just work on what I can control right now.”
Podziemski’s comments on the trade buzz differ from those of many other NBA players, who often claim to be completely ignorant of these types of rumors. Instead, he has a more positive outlook.
“No one likes to admit it, but everyone sees… the good and the bad,” Podziemski said. “For me, I think that what is bad can only 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 say, ‘I’m glad we didn’t trade him,’ that would be cool for me.”
Likewise, recent reports claimed Golden State is reluctant to let go of its first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. This news has boosted its confidence.
“It’s a stamp of validation that I’m doing all the right things – everything I tried to do my rookie year, it’s all the right things, and I’m going to do it. [that] in the second year,” Podziemski explained. “Hopefully having an elevated role this second year is something I’m looking forward to. “
Still, Podziemski seemed to acknowledge the possibility of not being a Warrior next season.
“If I’m in a Warriors uniform or a different uniform in October, that’s where I’ll be,” Podziemski said. “Training camp starts October 1st, so any group of guys I’m with is one I can win with, so that’s how I look at it. be or where I won’t be.”
Regardless of what the next two months look like, Podziemski’s mental space doesn’t appear to be an issue as he enters his second NBA season.
