While other Western Conference teams made headlines with big trades and signings, the Golden State Warriors took a different approach this offseason, with their most notable roster activity came in the form of late second-round draft picks – Alex Toohey (No. 52) and Will Richard (No. 56), during the 2025 NBA Draft.
Nonetheless, guard Brandin Podziemski believes the team’s current core, centered around Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, has what it takes to rise to the top of the Western Conference next season.
Brandin Podziemski Believes Warriors Can be Top-Four Seed in West
In a video posted by Warriors on NBCS, Podziemski recalled the second-half surge that followed the midseason acquisition of Jimmy Butler, calling it a turning point that shaped their mindset and chemistry.
“Exciting, you know, really looking forward to what we can do,” Podziemski said. “I really take it back to when we traded for Jimmy, you look at our record from thereon out, what that was. It felt that we have to play every game as if it was a playoff game, after we got him just to get in the playoffs.”
The 22-year-old was referring to the stretch after Butler arrived, when Golden State flipped a sub-.500 record into one of the most dominant finishes in the West. The Warriors went 25-27 before the trade, then closed the season 23-7 with Butler in the lineup.
Building on that momentum, Podziemski added that if the team can replicate a similar run in 2025-26, they won’t be fighting just to make the playoffs, but setting themselves up for the top of the Western Conference.
“We can have a similar record and… we feel like we can be a top-four seed in the West,” he said. “It allows us to, down the stretch, be able to rest our older guys, let the younger guys get some more experience. So it’s just a win-win for everybody.”
“We feel like we can be a top-four seed in the West.”
Brandin Podziemski details the Warriors’ mentality heading into next season pic.twitter.com/Br1I0GQp3I
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 12, 2025
While other contenders reshuffled rosters, the Warriors appear committed to internal growth. Re-signing restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga remains a top priority, and they’ve been linked to veteran center Al Horford. But for now, the Warriors appear to trust the roster that they have.
What Does Podziemski Need to Prove in His Bigger Role?
Golden State’s biggest move came earlier this year when Butler arrived. It boosted their record and gave the Warriors a defensive anchor and veteran scorer to support Stephen Curry.
However, their postseason ended in the Western Conference Semifinals after Curry was sidelined with an injury, and they lost the series 4-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With limited outside additions, Golden State will rely on young talent to bridge the gap between veterans and sustained playoff contention in the 2025-26 season. For the Warriors to make another deep playoff run, Podziemski’s development will be crucial.
Podziemski, selected 19th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, showed promise during the 2025 playoffs but was inconsistent. He averaged 11.3 points, five rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting just 36.4% from the field, a significant drop from his 44.5% regular season average.
In two games of the Western Conference Semifinals, he failed to reach double digits.
Still, the coaching staff sees potential. And with the veteran core centered around Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green aging, Podziemski’s development along with Kuminga’s (if retained) will be key to the Warriors’ hopes of staying competitive in a tough Western Conference.
