SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors are set to lose a player they have depended on to provide substantial minutes at center for the past two seasons.
Quinten Post is mulling a qualifying offer from the Grizzlies worth $30 million over three seasons, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
It represents a substantial raise from the $2.39 million he made combined over the past two seasons since being a second-round pick by the Warriors out of Boston College in 2024. In that time, Post started 49 games over two seasons and was an integral part of the Warriors’ strong finish to the 2024-25 season after the Jimmy Butler trade.
The Warriors have until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday to match the offer.
For several reasons, it seems unlikely that the Warriors would have interest in matching such a lucrative deal. The Warriors already let backup point guard Pat Spencer walk to Phoenix.
The team is still waiting on LeBron James to make his decision in unrestricted free agency, and Post taking up $10 million of the salary cap next season would all but eliminate the team’s ability to sign James to the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception.
The Warriors could still sign James to the $6.1 million taxpayer midlevel exception if their total salaries remain below the second apron at $221 million. If James is willing to take the veteran minimum, he could sign for the Warriors regardless of what their salary cap situation is.
If the Warriors renounce Post, 26, that would also free up an additional $2.65 million in cap space for the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors’ Quinten Post #21 reacts after making a basket in the second half of their NBA game against the Orlando Magic at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
During an episode of his Game Over podcast, James’ agent Rich Paul listed the Warriors as one of 10 teams James was seriously considering joining.
Draymond Green, also a free agent, is expected to re-sign in Golden State on a multi-year deal at a lower per-year average to make signing James possible.
But even if the Warriors were flush with salary cap space, signing Post to a hefty $30 million contract might not make sense.
Golden State has re-signed centers Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis to two-year contracts, and with Green expected back, gives the Warriors three players who often get minutes at center. Malevy Leons has also impressed in summer league and could be a factor, too.
Prized rookie Yaxel Lendeborg will see the majority of his playing time at forward, but members of the organization have not ruled out also giving him playing time at center in smallball lineups. Adding to the positional crunch is the fact that Anthony Davis has been linked as a requisite addition if James were to sign.
The only realistic way Davis could join the Warriors is if they trade Butler’s $56.8 million contract.
If Post joins Memphis, he would be competing for minutes in a crowded frontcourt that includes Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Isaiah Stewart and No. 3 overall pick Cam Boozer.
At his best, Post could provide spacing for crowded lineups with his 3-point shot.
But after shooting 40.8% from behind the arc as a rookie, he made just 33.6% of his long-distance attempts in his second year as he dealt with a right foot injury.
But a move to Memphis would still represent both a fresh start for Post, and show the Warriors’ willingness to shake up the roster.
Golden State Warriors’ Quinten Post (21) looks to pass the ball against the Detroit Pistons in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)