Steve Kerr believes Brandin Podziemski is ready for a bigger leap, and the timing could not be much better for the Golden State Warriors.
With the NBA season opening and Golden State already down Jimmy Butler for the start of the year, plus Moses Moody out for an unknown length of time, Kerr said Podziemski’s development matters even more. The Warriors have a slim margin for error early, and that puts more responsibility on young players who are expected to help keep the team steady.
Kerr’s message was less about asking Podziemski to become a different player and more about helping him keep building on what he already does well. The coach said the young guard is going to make mistakes, and that the challenge is knowing when to pull the reins back while still giving him confidence. Kerr also described Podziemski as a super confident kid, which matters for a player trying to handle a larger role.
The bigger point is that Golden State does not need Podziemski to simply chase points. Kerr said the key is for him to understand how good he is in his role, especially when it comes to making other people better. That is a useful reminder on a roster that already includes Stephen Curry and Butler when healthy. Podziemski can score more, but Kerr’s comments suggest the Warriors care more about decision-making, structure and consistency than empty volume.
Why Podziemski matters now
Last season, Podziemski averaged a career-high 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists. At the end of the season, he took on a much bigger role, and that stretch gave Golden State a better idea of what he can handle when the workload rises. Kerr noted that the lessons from the last couple of years have helped him, and that is part of why the coach now sees him as poised for a great year.
That matters because the Warriors need competent play from Podziemski right away, not just long-term upside. The roster is thinner than usual to start the season, so his ability to stay within team concepts while still playing with confidence could help stabilize the backcourt and the overall rotation.
There is also a contract angle to keep in mind. Podziemski is on the kind of developmental path that can shape a player’s standing with the team, and that becomes especially important as restricted free agency eventually comes into view. For now, though, Kerr’s focus is on the present: a young guard with real confidence, a defined role and a chance to make another jump when the Warriors need it most.
