How three-point sniper Brandin Podziemski 'fits the way' Warriors play

The Golden State Warriors drafted Santa Clara guard Brandin Podziemski with the No. 19 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

Podziemski's traits mesh well with the Warriors right out of the gate. The Warriors are a prolific three-point team, and Podziemski ranked fifth in the nation in three-point percentage at 43.8. However, he also has the ability to take it to the hole and play with physicality on offense and defense. 

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said they targeted Podziemski for "quite some time" and was the best player available when pick No. 19 came up for Golden State. 

“We picked up a player who we think fits the way we play,” Dunleavy said, per the San Francisco Chronicle. “We like his skill set, his ability to shoot, his ability to pass, make plays. He’s a tremendous rebounder, and maybe more than anything, a competitor. We’re really pleased to add that to our culture.”

Dunleavy is happy about the addition of Podziemski, and the guard feels the same way about the Warriors organization. In an interview with the Mercury News at the beginning of June, Podziemski lobbied for the Warriors to draft him. 

“The way I play and the way they play kind of meshes, I think it’s a perfect fit,” Podziemski said. “I’m a very unselfish player, as are all the other guys in that locker room. But obviously, I can make shots, high-level shooting… And then you talk about the question of my defense, you got Draymond (Green) and Gary Payton II to learn from.”

Podziemski, 20, started his collegiate career at Illinois but transferred to Santa Clara last year and it paid major dividends. Podziemski averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, and his draft stock jettisoned. 

The Warriors traded away Jordan Poole for Chris Paul, and Golden State's vision appears to be for Podziemski to not only take on Poole's role in the offense but to produce at a higher clip than Poole did. While expecting immediate success from Podziemski or any talented rookie is a tall task, Golden State has the right culture and coaching staff to get the best out of a player who already is fiery and ready to attack the challenge of being a pro.