Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski (2) walks on the court against the Sacramento Kings in the first quarter of their game during the 2023 California Classic at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday, July 3, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
SACRAMENTO — NBA agent Bill Duffy had some sage advice for his client Brandin Podziemski moments after the Warriors rookie’s up-and-down Summer League opener this week.
Duffy told the No. 19 pick to let it fly and the rest would come.
Podziemski clearly took the words to heart, taking a more aggressive approach in his second Summer League game Wednesday.
Podziemski scored 17 points in the Warriors’ 98-83 win against the Charlotte Hornets in their California Classic finale.
The Warriors ran high pick-and-roll with Podziemski early and often. In the first quarter, he snatched back-to-back steals and knocked down a pair of 3s, including one where he pump faked two defenders before launching it.
Podziemski seemed to grow more confident as the game went on. After scoring only 12 points and knocking down only one 3 in his Summer League debut on Monday, a 100-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Podziemski closed out the second quarter with a layup off the inbound to notch 13 points in the first half of Wednesday’s blowout.
His defense remains a work in progress as he still looked a little lost at times on that end of the floor. But he stuck with it and managed to snatch away a game-high five steals.
Podziemski shot better Wednesday, going 7 of 14 from the field and 2 of 6 from 3-point range. He finished a plus-23.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Warriors’ 2023 second-round pick, signed a four-year rookie deal that includes two years guaranteed Wednesday afternoon.
Jackson-Davis is still waiting for a chance to showcase his skills in Summer League after he injured his right hamstring in a recent team practice. He watched his teammates play for the second straight game from the sidelines. Summer League head coach Jacob Rubin previously said he doesn’t expect Jackson-Davis’ injury to be too serious and the former Indiana big could make his summer debut in Las Vegas.
The Warriors picked up Jackson-Davis, the No. 57 pick, from the Washington Wizards for cash considerations in a draft night trade.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. previously said he was surprised Jackson-Davis, who played the last four seasons for the Hoosiers, dropped that low in the second round. Jackson-Davis, the son of former NBA player Dale Davis, averaged 20.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and four assists in 32 games for Indiana last season. At 6-foot-8, Jackson-Davis is a lob threat and has defensive versatility.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Originally published at Madeline Kenney