Brandin Podziemski signs a $110 million extension as the October 19 rookie deadline nears
The short version
The Warriors announced a five-year rookie scale extension with Brandin Podziemski on October 10, 2026, reported at $110 million through 2031-32 with a mutual option in the fifth year. He joins Victor Wembanyama, the Thompson twins and Keyonte George from the 2023 class. Everyone else has until October 19 or heads toward restricted free agency.
What did Podziemski sign?
A five-year rookie scale extension reported at $110 million, running through 2031-32, with a mutual option in the fifth season that lets both sides renegotiate or part ways, per NBA.com. The team did not disclose terms, and the figure came from a person with knowledge of the deal, per the Associated Press.
The case for him was availability. Podziemski, 23, was one of 18 players in the league to appear in all 82 games last season, with career highs of 13.8 points and 45.5% shooting, per NBA.com. Steve Kerr called it a win-win for player and team. It is Golden State's second extension this fall, after Stephen Curry's two-year deal in September, per NBA.com, which is broken down in how the Curry and LeBron contracts compare. What an extension is, and when it takes effect, is explained in how rookie scale extensions work.
How does his deal compare with the rest of the 2023 class?
It is the fifth extension in the class and the smallest by total value. The others, per ClutchPoints and NBA.com:
| Player | Team | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | Spurs | 5 years, $252 million |
| Amen Thompson | Rockets | 5 years, $208 million |
| Keyonte George | Jazz | 5 years, $157.5 million |
| Ausar Thompson | Pistons | 5 years, $155 million |
| Brandin Podziemski | Warriors | 5 years, $110 million (reported) |
Wembanyama took 25% of the cap rather than the 30% his honors could have allowed, per ClutchPoints. The scale behind every first contract is in how much NBA rookies make in 2026-27.
Who is still unsigned?
Most of the class. As of ClutchPoints' October 6 roundup, the open cases included:
- Brandon Miller, Hornets: scored over 20 a game in two of three seasons but has missed 80 games and had shoulder surgery in May.
- Cason Wallace, Thunder: an All-Defensive Second Team pick on a team managing a fast-rising payroll.
- Anthony Black, Magic: averaged 15.0 points in 64 games last season.
- Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers, and Dereck Lively II, Mavericks: both predicted to play out their rookie deals.
Why are extensions slower under this CBA?
Because of the aprons. Teams are wary of commitments that limit roster flexibility, a team executive told RealGM, and Brian Windhorst reported that the era of easy max extensions is over. Houston, which has historically signed its young players for less, per the same report, still gave Amen Thompson $208 million.
What happens at the deadline?
The window closes at 5 p.m. Central on Monday, October 19, per Hoops Rumors. A player who does not sign plays 2026-27 on his rookie deal and becomes a restricted free agent next summer, when his team can match any offer, per ClutchPoints. That path paid off for some players and cost others, and the tradeoffs are laid out in the guide to signing or betting on yourself.
Sources
- NBA.com: Brandin Podziemski signs extension with Warriors
- Associated Press via News4Jax: Podziemski receives 5-year, $110M extension
- ClutchPoints: Predicting Miller, Wallace and Podziemski extension values
- NBA.com: Ausar Thompson signs 5-year, $155 million extension
- RealGM: Rookie extension market remains quiet
- Hoops Rumors: NBA roster and contract deadlines to watch in October 2026
Data current as of October 11, 2026. Figures are linked where each one appears. Leagues and regulators update these rules; check the source before relying on a number.
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