Brandin Podziemski, Warriors
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Brandin Podziemski and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors battle Nic Claxton and Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets for the ball.
The Golden State Warriors are still weighing every move through the lens of Stephen Curry’s championship window. At 37, the clock is ticking. Golden State might only get two more shots at the title with their generational superstar, and that urgency makes trade pitches like this one especially fascinating.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report recently floated an idea that would send Brandin Podziemski to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.
The Trade Pitch
Warriors receive: Stephon Castle
Spurs receive: Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, 2028 first-round pick (top-three protected)
At first glance, it’s a blockbuster that might make both teams hesitate. Podziemski is a promising young guard who fits Golden State’s style. Castle is already a budding star, but he’s part of a crowded Spurs backcourt alongside De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper.
That overlap is what creates the possibility. If San Antonio ever decided the fit wasn’t right, Castle would be the piece to move.
Why the Warriors Would Do It
For the Warriors, everything comes back to Curry. They need to maximize every possession, every season, and every move until he hangs it up. Podziemski brings shooting, playmaking, and energy. He’s a willing defender who regularly takes charges and plays with toughness, though his lack of elite athleticism may cap his long-term defensive upside. Offensively, he can still be streaky.
Castle, meanwhile, checks boxes the Warriors have lacked in recent years. He’s bigger, stronger, and more athletic, with significantly more defensive upside. Offensively, he’s not the pure shooter Podziemski is, but Golden State could live with that trade-off if it means adding a versatile guard who can grow into a foundational piece once Curry retires.
Why the Spurs Might Consider It
Brandin Podziemski, Warriors
GettyBrandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors.
San Antonio’s backcourt is loaded. Fox is locked in after signing a four-year, $229 million extension. Harper just went No. 2 in the 2025 draft. That leaves Castle — talented as he is — potentially squeezed for touches.
If the Spurs decided they couldn’t keep all three long-term, moving Castle could net them a valuable return. Podziemski offers shooting and playmaking to complement Fox and Harper, Santos brings depth, and the 2028 first-round pick adds future flexibility.
Still, it’s not an easy call. Castle just averaged 14.7 points on 42.8% shooting as a 20-year-old rookie. Giving up that kind of talent so soon would be a tough sell for a team trying to build a championship core.
The Warriors’ Verdict
For Golden State, this deal is about two timelines: winning now with Curry and preparing for life after him. Castle could help on both fronts — giving them defensive toughness in the short term and a potential franchise cornerstone for the future.
Podziemski is a fan favorite, and the Warriors have been hesitant to move him before. But Castle is the kind of player you don’t get a shot at often. If the Spurs made him available, Golden State would have to think hard about saying yes.
The reality is simple: Curry’s window won’t last forever. Moves like this could be the difference between fading out quietly and making one last push for a title.