Golden State Warriors Rookie Believes He Should Be Among 2024 Rookie Class’ Best

Podziemski was drafted 19th overall in the 2023 Draft, but nobody believed that he would become an instant contributor to a Warriors team that looked to make a deep run in the playoffs.

However, his production throughout his debut NBA campaign would leave even his loudest doubters impressed. The 21-year-old forced his way into Steve Kerr’s rotation, winning an average of 26.6 minutes a game. With that amount of playing time, he managed to put up an impressive stat line of 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 45.4% shooting on the floor and 38.5% from long range.

He talked about why he and Trayce Jackson-Davis, who also became a surprising contributor to the Dubs, deserve to be in the All-Rookie first team.

Per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson:

“It does to me,” Podziemski said to NBC Sports Bay Area when asked if the All-Rookie team matters to him. “I think me and Trayce should both be on the All-Rookie team, whether that’s first or second. I think I should be first team.”

“I don’t know how they look at it – if it’s numbers based, if it’s wins based, if you’re impacting the team,” Podziemski said. “All in all, if you look at the top-five rookies I think I’m in that category, just based on what I bring on a daily basis, who I have around me, what kind of team I’m playing on, my usages.

“Because I feel like If I was in some of the other rookie’s situations … I’m still putting up more numbers too.”

Podziemski is a blessing for a team that desperately needs an influx of confidence. Regardless of how the Golden State Warriors would look like next season, fans would feel comfortable knowing that they have a good group of guys donning their jerseys.