Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer has raised eyebrows in the basketball world, suggesting that Brandin Podziemski’s, the 6-foot-4 guard picked by the Warriors at No. 19 in the 2023 NBA Draft, could have been a top-three pick if teams were to draft again based on his stellar performance.
Despite 16 teams passing on Podziemski in the draft, O’Connor believes the rookie’s exceptional play in the first 30 games of the 2023-24 NBA season could have propelled him as high as the third pick in a hypothetical re-draft, according to a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).
Labelling Podziemski as a “steal” for the Warriors, O’Connor highlighted the young guard’s impact, especially in recent games. With Podziemski’s inclusion in the starting lineup, replacing Andrew Wiggins, he has showcased promising stats, averaging 10.8 points on 43.9-percent shooting, along with 6.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.1 steals over the last seven games.
Brandin Podziemski’s performance in the recent game against the Denver Nuggets demonstrated his versatility, marking a milestone achievement. He became the first Warriors rookie since Klay Thompson in 2012 to record four or more steals in a single game. Moreover, his stat line of 13 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five steals in that game puts him in a league with the likes of Ben Simmons, DeMarcus Cousins, and John Wall, showcasing his all-around potential on the court.
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