Much has been made about how the Warriors’ addition of Dennis Schroder will affect their backcourt rotation. Schroder will clearly have a defined and steady role—why else would the Warriors have dealt for him?—but who else other than Steph Curry can carry that same distinction?
In all likelihood, the arrival of Schroder doesn’t mean a player who was formerly in the rotation is set for an onslaught of DNPs. Schroder is essentially replacing De’Anthony Melton, who is out for the year anyway. But changes of some kind are certainly coming. For better or for worse, the Warriors’ starting five remains—and will remain—fluid for the foreseeable future. At least according to recent comments made by coach Steve Kerr, Schroder feels like a safe bet to be a mainstay in the closing lineups of most games.
The roles of most of the Warriors’ backcourt players will likely stay relatively unchanged, with Coach Kerr likely continuing to lean on players like Buddy Hield and Lindy Waters III, when in need of some extra shooting from his backcourt. He can also turn to guys like Gary Payton II when in need of some more defensive intensity. One backcourt player who is very likely in line for a role alteration however, is Brandin Podziemski.
Brandin Podziemski Set For New Role Following Warriors’ Recent Trade
Brandin Podziemski’s New Role
According to coach Kerr, the arrival of Dennis Schroder in Golden State could and should be a force of positive change for Podziemski’s game. For anyone who has followed the Warriors closely this year, it’s been well documented how Podziemski has not looked entirely comfortable in his second year. And much of this uncomfortability has been due to Podziemski actually playing slightly out of position.
As coach Kerr alluded to in his most recent press conference immediately following the Schroder deal, Podziemski played the vast majority of his rookie season minutes either next to Curry or Chris Paul. As it turns out, playing immediately adjacent to two future Hall-of-Fame point guards will significantly boost your level of on-court comfortability. And while Schroder is not of the same ilk as the likes of Paul and Curry, getting Podziemski to once again play beside a level-headed lead ball-handler should greatly benefit his on court play.
The Warriors clearly still believe in Podziemski as a long-term impact piece for the franchise. But it’s also clear that there is concern within the organization about Podziemski’s lack of development as lead ball-handler. Podziemski should still continue seeing 20-25 minutes per game despite the addition of Schroder. And with less on-ball responsibilities, the hope is that the former Santa Clara guard should be able to get back to being an efficient outside shooter, game changing loose ball-grabber, and offensive rebounding merchant.
Last Word
Brandin Podziemski remains an integral piece of what the Warriors are trying to do both now and in the future. Regardless of the arrival of Dennis Schroder, the Warriors are at least signaling that they still believe in the long term appeal of Podziemski. Whether these “signals” carry any validity however remains uncertain, as reports suggest the Warriors continue actively pursuing a second star.
If the Warriors are however genuine in their long term commitment to Podziemski, it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to a new—but familiar— role. The Warriors are surely hoping to see a level of improved play from Podziemski as he adjusts to playing more off the ball. If the second-year guard continues to struggle however, the Warriors will likely falter as well.
Unless the Warriors are able to snag a second star—which is far from a foregone conclusion—they will desperately need to know they can count on Podziemski. The opportunity to play off-ball and be a secondary playmaker is an opportunity the Warriors are counting on Podziemski to take and run away with. Golden State reaching the heights it so desperately wants to reach this year may hinge upon the prosperity of their second year guard.
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