Brandin Podziemski had some insecurities after he made it to the NBA spotlight. While his performance and skills were something he constantly looked to improve, this was something beyond… His slightly crooked smile bothered him, and while that never stopped him from smiling, in the back of his mind, he thought about getting it corrected. Kevon Looney, sensing this, introduced him to Invisalign, and Podziemski not only used the product but also got in a partnership with them. All because of Looney.

“He’s [Looney] been with them for a while now, and it’s been great having a vet that’s kind of done it before you. Doing it and just following suit. Like I said, it’s been great,” Podziemski said about Looney last year. Small interactions like this with the vet helped Podziemski feel more confident on and off the court. But fast forward to July 2025, Looney, who was a three-time NBA champion with the Warriors, agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans. After all, he became an unrestricted free agent after completing the final year of his three-year contract with the Warriors. And with that, one of the longest active tenured players of Golden State walked away to his new home.

But that doesn’t mean the Warriors have forgotten about Looney. Take Podziemski, for instance. He has nothing but deep appreciation for his former teammate. No wonder he took to Instagram to share a simple message that did not need any words to communicate his feelings.

Podziemski posted a story on Instagram featuring a T-shirt with Kevon Looney’s image front and center—a heartfelt nod to the big man who spent a decade anchoring Golden State’s frontcourt. No caption was needed; the sentiment spoke volumes. This comes just days after Podziemski shut down all the noise surrounding his team. Reports had emerged stating that GSW was the only NBA team that did not add or re-sign a player this offseason. Reacting to this, the player wrote, “Why everyone worried bout us?” It was bold, honest, and just the kind of confident swagger you’d expect from a young player embracing his moment.

Unlike teams on a shopping spree, the Warriors stayed put. No new signings, no blockbuster trades—just the same crew minus Looney. Assistant coach Terry Stotts even declined a shot at the Knicks’ staff to stay loyal. Stability matters in a league that values cohesion almost as much as three-pointers.

In February, team governor Joe Lacob signaled financial caution, noting they want: “to be out of the tax two years out of the next four… We don’t want to be a repeater.” That calculus drove the decision to let Looney go. Pragmatism over nostalgia—a trend the Warriors have followed before, even with franchise faces like Klay Thompson.

So Kevon Looney signing a two-year, $16M deal with the Pelicans wasn’t a shock, but a clean break. He averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 boards in 15 minutes last year, but with Trayce Jackson-Davis earning minutes and salary cap pressures mounting, the Warriors chose to pivot. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said they valued Looney, but ultimately, “it didn’t make sense to release him and get nothing.” Now, New Orleans picks up his grit, rebounding, and locker-room leadership, while the Golden State hopes that the young frontcourt options can step up. While Looney got his move, another Warrior star’s future remains in balance.

Jonathan Kuminga: The elephant in the room

Behind the scenes, Jonathan Kuminga is stuck in a limbo. Insider Brett Siegel says the Warriors are waiting to resolve Kuminga’s situation: “Based on word at Summer League, it seems like Jonathan Kuminga’s situation will continue to drag on, possibly into August. The two sides have remained far apart in negotiations, including this week at Summer League. Rival teams believe Kuminga doesn’t want to return.”

That standoff is a primary reason the roster looks untouched. Podziemski echoed mixed optimism: “If we can get a similar record and similar start to when he (Butler) got here, we feel like we can be a top‑four seed in the West.” They love stability, but the Kuminga logjam and lack of fresh bodies leave cracks.

With Looney gone, the starting five looks like this:

• PG: Stephen Curry
• SG: Brandin Podziemski
• SF: Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga
• PF: Draymond Green, Gui Santos
• C: Either Quinten Post or Trayce Jackson-Davis

Podziemski stepping into a full-time starting role represents a major leap—he averaged 11.7 ppg last year and is now viewed as a key piece. Trading depth for continuity has its risks, especially if the young frontcourt can’t fill Looney’s shoes. The bench looks thin. Backcourt options like Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, plus Gui, Kuminga, and Post in the frontcourt, might struggle in the postseason grind. Moody is also rumored as a trade asset, and cap holds further complicate any mid-season fill-ins.

Golden State is essentially saying: chemistry + cohesion = shake-’em-up splashes. Podziemski’s optimism is palpable. He’s aiming for a top-four seed, banking on the mojo from last year’s mid-season spark. But there’s a flip side: defense might suffer, and playoff depth could be thin. And if Kuminga walks away? That’s two frontcourt spots needing answers—depth, minutes, and versatility.

For now, Podziemski is stepping up, embracing continuity, and buying into a mission defined by trust over transactions. But let’s be real: in a league obsessing over roster headlines, the Warriors’ silent treatment is either a genius move or a folly. Buckle up, because Brandin Podziemski and crew are making a gutsy gamble.