As the Golden State Warriors prepare for a future beyond their dynastic core, one young player is already thinking ahead. Brandin Podziemski, the 2023 first-round pick, recently expressed his desire to lead the team once veterans like Draymond Green and Stephen Curry retire. That ambition drew a thoughtful, and cautionary, response from Green.
Following a Warriors practice, Green was asked about Podziemski’s comments. His response was layered with wisdom and experience:
“With him, I say ‘Be careful.’ Don’t tell people too much, ‘cause the more you tell people, the more they use it against you and try to tear you down,” Green said. “We all believe that he’s going to be one of the guys that take the torch. We all have the utmost confidence in what he’s gonna become.”
Green’s message was clear: leadership in the NBA isn’t just about talent, it’s about timing, trust, and resilience.
Draymond Green had a long answer on Brandin Podziemski’s desire to lead the team once him and Steph Curry retire.
“With him I say ‘Be careful.’ The more you tell people the more they use it against you… We believe that he’s going to be one of the guys that take the torch…” pic.twitter.com/0ELbcWQnGu
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) October 19, 2025
Podziemski told The Athletic that he’s working to earn the trust of Curry, Green, and the Warriors’ front office.
“When they leave this thing, they got to leave it with somebody,” he said. “How can I have their trust?”
His comments reflect a maturity beyond his years and a hunger to be more than just a role player. With Curry now 37 and Green entering his 14th season, the Warriors are actively grooming their next generation.
Green’s caution stems from experience. As someone who rose from a second-round pick to become the emotional anchor of a dynasty, he knows the scrutiny that comes with leadership.
“When things go wrong, they don’t get crushed. We get crushed,” he said, referring to the pressure leaders face.
With veterans like Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, and Al Horford having joined the roster in the past 10 months, the Warriors are balancing experience with youth. Podziemski, alongside players like Trayce Jackson-Davis and Moses Moody, represents the bridge to the next era.
If Green’s words are any indication, the torch isn’t just being passed, it’s being protected, shaped, and handed over with intention.
