Brandin Podziemski: Warriors GM Told Me I Wouldn't Be Traded Amid Markkanen Rumors

NBA teams coveted Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski in talks this offseason, when the team was most heavily connected to Lauri Markkanen in trade rumors.

However, Dubs general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. reportedly told suitors that the ex-Santa Clara star was unavailable.

"A lot of these other teams are calling about you," Podziemski said Dunleavy stated. "They want you, but you're not going anywhere. You're ours."

Dunleavy reportedly made those comments to the 21-year-old after he finished up a workout at the team's facility with the late-June draft nearing.

Podziemski also told Slater that he ran into Warriors governor Joe Lacob at a Las Vegas Aces game this summer, and he also reiterated that he wasn't going anywhere.

"He told me, 'You don't have anything to worry about. You're a priority here,'" Podziemski told Slater. "I appreciate that, being a rookie and going into my second year, hearing that from such a prestigious organization. It feels good. I'm wanted somewhere. So, I appreciate them.

"They could keep me in the dark until a trade is done. But Mike and Joe were transparent from the draft to the Paul George situation to the Markkanen situation."

Anthony Slater of The Athletic added that the Warriors want Podziemski to take eight-to-10 three-pointers per game next season.

On July 15, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Jazz and Warriors were at in talks. In sum, they were far apart.

"The Golden State Warriors have been the most engaged team for Markkanen in recent weeks, as league sources tell The Athletic they have discussed a proposal around Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, multiple pick swaps and multiple second-round picks. The Jazz, however, have asked for the bulk of young talent and capital the Warriors possess, including Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, along with picks, which has been a non-starter thus far for Golden State, league sources said."

The talks ultimately went nowhere. Markkanen re-signed with Utah on a five-year, $238 million deal in August. The Warriors' sign-and-trade moves for Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield in early July ended up being their most notable deals of the summer.

And the Warriors retained their young talent, including Podziemski, who averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 26.6 minutes last season.

His role figures to increase in year two as the Warriors look to bounce back from a season that ended in the play-in tournament with a loss to the Sacramento Kings.