The 2023-24 season for the Golden State Warriors was a breakout period for the rookies, who consistently stepped up and made crucial contributions to the team’s success. Led by veteran guard Chris Paul, these young players have established themselves in a team that has faced significant challenges throughout the season. Among them, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis have emerged as standout performers.

Podziemski was selected by the Warriors at the 19th pick, while Davis was picked at 57th. However, given their impressive performances, it’s likely that the franchise would have been eager to acquire them sooner. Nonetheless, the Warriors struck gold with these two players, and both Podziemski and Trayce have earned the respect of NBA veterans and legends.

Despite their success, they are still rookies in every sense, joining a team with a storied history that includes four titles in the past decade, as well as Hall of Fame players and a renowned coach. It’s natural for them to feel some apprehension sitting alongside Stephen Curry or Draymond Green, and Podziemski acknowledges this sentiment.

“I would say it’s fun but it’s also a little bit daunting at first,” the 21-year-old admitted to Malika Andrews on Thursday’s episode of NBA Today. He further added, “For us, it was finding that that happy medium of what they have, but what else would we bring.”

Finding the “happy medium” has been a significant challenge for the team. The organization aims to maintain its veteran core as the focal point, but the reality is that they are no longer able to perform at their peak level. While Stephen Curry continues to excel, the team relies heavily on him.

Klay Thompson has struggled to return to form following his injuries, and Draymond Green has faced issues with ejections and suspensions. Additionally, Andrew Wiggins has not performed as well as he did in 2022, leading coach Steve Kerr to turn to the younger players more frequently. When these rookies step up and perform admirably, it becomes necessary for Kerr to integrate them into the regular rotation. However, this dynamic can sometimes create tension between the younger and older players on the team.

In a tightly contested match between the Spurs and Warriors on March 11th, there was a moment when Brandin’s actions irked Wiggins. Rather than recognizing an open pass to Podziemski, Wiggins opted to attempt a contested layup on a fastbreak, resulting in a turnover. Podz expressed his displeasure with the decision, and Wiggins stood his ground without backing down.