Young Warriors star once again makes big claims as season approaches

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski does not lack confidence.

During his rookie season, he proclaimed himself the heir apparent to Stephen Curry. Podz could not back up those tall claims as a sophomore, as his production and efficiency regressed significantly. At the end of his second year, the southpaw received a dressing down from his head coach, Steve Kerr, for his lackluster showing in the playoffs.

Those experiences have not humbled Podziemski. Entering his third season, the young guard is running off at the mouth again. 

Brandin Podziemski: Delusion or confidence?

In an interview with The Athletic's Nick Friedell, Podziemski claimed that it's his responsibility to lead the Warriors into the next era when Curry, 37, and Draymond Green, 35, walk away from the sport.  

"When they leave this thing, they got to leave it with somebody," Podziemski said of Curry and Green. "How can I have their trust? And they can go to (owner) Joe (Lacob) and (general manager) Mike (Dunleavy) and be like, 'Hey, we want to leave it with him. He's going to continue what we’re leaving.' So, I think about that all time, and I set myself up in that position, to have that. And there's a lot of other things than just skill that you need to be in that position."

Podz added that he has the tools to carry the Warriors offense when Curry and Jimmy Butler are not on the floor this season.

"I want to be a third option for this team. I want to be a guy where Steph and Jimmy are out, like they can rely on me to help win games."

The NBA is a business

It's admirable that Podziemski, 22, views himself as a natural leader and a player with the skillset to carry the Warriors into the next era. But there's a fine line between delusion and confidence, one that he may have already crossed. 

Podziemski must realize that he will be on the first flight to Milwaukee if the Warriors can convince the Bucks to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo to them. He will be similarly shipped to about a dozen teams that can help the Warriors pair the aging Curry with another star.

The third-year guard has proven nothing to reach "untouchable" status in trade talks or be touted as a building block of the future. At least not until he can put his money where his mouth is and produce consistently on the basketball court.