Warriors Make Huge Brandin Podziemski Announcement After Successful Medical Procedure

Brandin Podziemski might be spending his summer on the surgery table instead of a beach, but make no mistake—he’s still one of the most talked-about names in the Bay. After a season where he went from “Who’s that rookie with the weird last name?” to “Wait, is Podzi gonna be our sixth man next year?”, the Warriors just dropped a health update that’s as big as his playoff performance.

On June 10, the Warriors announced that Podziemski underwent successful surgery to repair a core muscle injury. This comes just weeks after he also had left wrist debridement surgery on May 27—on his shooting wrist, no less (and yes, he’s a lefty). The good news? He’s expected to be fully healthy for the start of 2025 training camp. The better news? If the Warriors learned one thing this season, it’s that Brandin Podziemski is built for the grind.

Podziemski—aka the guy whose last name sounds like a mid-range jumper—was one of Golden State’s biggest surprises. He averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals across 64 regular-season games (33 starts). But those numbers only tell part of the story.

After a slow start, he caught fire post–All-Star break, dropping 27 points on the Spurs with seven threes like he was channeling young Klay Thompson on a Tuesday. Once Jimmy Butler arrived and Steph Curry missed time, Podz stepped up again, averaging about 14.0 points over the final 27 games. Not bad for someone who looked like the team’s ninth option in November.

As Kerr pointed out, “He does so many other things besides shoot that are crucial for us. He’s a crucial player for us.” BP’s impact goes beyond the statline, his intangibles are what make him unique to Kerr’s system, which doesn’t focus on individual brilliance, rather collective cohesion—all that he brings to the table.

When the postseason arrived, Brandin Podziemski didn’t hide. He balled out in Round 1 against the Rockets, delivering a 26-point, 5-board, 5-assist masterclass in Game 4 that gave the Dubs a 3–1 lead. It was the kind of game that makes you think, “Okay, he’s not just good for a rookie—he’s just good.”

Then came the Timberwolves. And oof. His shooting fell off faster than Russell Westbrook’s three-point percentage in a Game 7. Through the first four games of that series, Podz went 9-for-40—that’s 22.5%, which would be okay if he were a weatherman, but not a scoring guard. Still, like any good Warrior, he didn’t back down. He dropped 28 points in Game 5, proving he’s got the short memory and big-stage confidence the playoffs demand.

Kerr also encouraged Podziemski to be more aggressive in future playoffs, “I told him that after the game I said, ‘when we get back here next year, you are not gonna turn down a single shot.’” A bold declaration for a young guard still making a name in a team contending for championship glory.

Surgery Season, But Nothing Too Scary

Now, about those surgeries: The left wrist debridement procedure (done in LA) was essentially a cleanup job—removing inflamed tissue from his shooting wrist. Then came the core muscle repair on June 10. The Warriors say he’s expected to be 100% by training camp, and there’s no indication that either issue is long-term. Just your typical “NBA wear and tear” stuff.

And he’s not alone. Teammate Moses Moody also went under the knife (thumb ligament repair), making Podziemski the second young Warrior to enter offseason rehab mode.

Here’s where it gets spicy: despite once being considered “untouchable,” Brandin Podziemski might not be glued to the Warriors’ long-term plans anymore. Reports say that if the right star (ahem, Giannis) becomes available, Golden State would consider adding him in a package. His team-friendly contract—$3.7M next season and a $5.7M option for 2026-27—makes him an attractive piece for win-now teams.

Internally, there’s even debate about whether the team wants someone more like Jordan Poole 1.0—a shot-chucker with swagger—over Podz’s steadier, more controlled game. But to be clear, Steve Kerr and the analytics crew still love him. His defensive rebounding, positional IQ, and ability to play off Steph make him a strong fit in the system.

Brandin Podziemski may be recovering now, but his stock isn’t falling—at least not in the eyes of fans who watched him grow from a benchwarmer into a playoff contributor. He’s got the toughness (both mentally and physically), the game, and the work ethic. Whether he stays in Golden State or ends up as the surprise centerpiece in a blockbuster trade, one thing’s certain:

Brandin Podziemski didn’t just earn a spot in the rotation—he earned a place in the Warriors’ future… one way or another.