Warriors send rookies Podziemski, Jackson-Davis to Santa Cruz

Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis are assigned to the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate for reps.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Rookies Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandy Podziemski were assigned to the Warriors’ G League team in Santa Cruz and did not travel with the team to Oklahoma City on Friday.

Despite the fact that both rookies have performed admirably in their brief appearances with the Warriors, the decision came down to availability.

Podziemski, 20, and Jackson-Davis, 23, are on the outskirts of the rotation and would not receive consistent minutes with the NBA team, according to coach Steve Kerr. To keep them active and off the bench, the two will join the Santa Cruz team for the start of training camp.

“A lot of great drill work, scrimmage time and with neither guy in the rotation right now, we felt like it was better time spent there,” he said. “Then they’ll rejoin the team soon.”

To fill their spots, two-way players Usman Garuba and Jerome Robinson were activated for Friday’s game against the Thunder.

Jackson-Davis and Podziemski were both solid contributors in their limited game time. Jackson-Davis, a 6-foot-9 center center, thrived as a rim scorer and smart defender in the dunker position. His standout performance came in a 20-minute stint against the New Orleans Pelicans, when he nearly had a double-double (nine rebounds and 13 points) with four blocks. As the season progresses, Jackson-Davis can provide the Warriors with much-needed size, particularly on the defensive end, behind Kevon Looney and Draymond Green.

Podziemksi, a guard, made his debut and only game against the Pelicans, getting minutes over veteran point guard Cory Joseph, and finished with eight rebounds, two assists, and five points.

The Warriors took Podziemski 19th overall out of Santa Clara and traded up to take Jackson-Davis 57th overall in the 2023 Draft.