Brandin Podziemski underwent a second offseason procedure this week, according to the Warriors, who announced in a press release that the guard had surgery on Tuesday to repair a core muscle injury.
Podziemski had undergone left wrist debridement surgery two weeks earlier. Golden State indicated at the time that he was expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of training camp. The team repeated that message in the wake of his latest procedure.
Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.8 minutes per game across 64 regular season outings during his second NBA season in 2024/25.
Although the 22-year-old posted a solid shooting line of .445/.372/.758 in the regular season, he struggled with his shot in the playoffs, making only 36.4% of his attempts from the floor, including 32.8% of his three-point tries.
Podziemski’s wrist and core issues may have played a part in that postseason drop-off, though it sounds like he was probably dealing with the latter for much of the season. He missed 12 consecutive games in December and January due to what the team referred to at the time as a right abdominal injury.
The Warriors guard will earn a salary of roughly $3.7MM next season, with a decision due on his 2026/27 team option (worth $5.7MM) by the end of October. Assuming that option is exercised, which looks like a lock, he’ll become eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2026 offseason.
Wow thats a lot of surgeries
You kind of expect it. He is not a guy who shrinks away from being physical. He also played with a broken nose. The wrist injury probably had more to do with his pitching days. Rehabbing from the core surgery might actually be good for him.
Injuries killed their chances in the playoffs with 4 of the 5 starters injured. That is the bioggest thing come playoffs is being healthy. Both teams in the finals are healthy teams.
Its a long season. Some players can hold off surgeries for a chance to continue playing and help the team.
@ Davey. Yeah Podz, Kuminga for Giannis straight up should work, lol.
Not Davey (please God no) but Butler for Durant right? The only trade the Suns can do with them and the Warriors winning on the trade.
He’s too small/does not enough length to play on a team with Steph Curry. He’s a really good player though, I hope he can be on of the pieces in the Giannis offer.
IMO, the question is whether Podz must stop taking so many charges.
It’s not just that he’s missing too many games. The skeletal injuries add up, and eventually reduce effectiveness. Crash-test dummies have short careers.
That said, you gotta LOVE his toughness.
Valid
I look at Marcus Smart and KCP who lost a lot on their fastballs when they hit around 30 bc of being so ruthless on D
What’s the core muscle surgery? My right oblique hurts and tilts, Brandin, if you’re out there, is this what happened to you?
Honestly, I don’t ever remember reading this surgery before. I do actually have this difficulty. I am curious why rehab wasn’t the preferred method for such a young athlete. I’m 40 and I try to rehab everything before any procedure. The coach, Steve Kerr always advises AGAINST surgical back procedures.
What’s going on with Podz?
oh boy, here come all of the core muscle experts. Pretty sure DJ has some core muscle experience to coincide with his hammy knowledge.