The Golden State Warriors still have a lot to figure out. However, with the trade deadline just over the horizon, they’ve found another piece to their championship puzzle.
Warriors Offer Rave Reviews Of Rookie Quinten Post
In the effort to find players that can open up their offense, Quinten Post has emerged as an option that’s as intriguing as useful. Selected with the 52nd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Post is a 7-foot-0 and 238-pound stretch center out of Boston College. In his last two college seasons, he averaged 16.3 points and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 42.9 percent from three.
In his last three games with the Warriors, he posted 11.3 points and 0.7 blocks per game, shooting 38.9 percent from deep.
Playing with a spacing big has helped to unbottle Warriors offensive engine Stephen Curry, who teams desperately want to keep out of the action. Following Post’s performance against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Curry acknowledged that Post’s presence “definitely helps” Golden State “have a counter to aggressive defenses.”
Here is Steph Curry on Quinten Post and the benefit of playing with a stretch center
“You have a counter to aggressive defenses that want to take the ball out of my hands…Try to create advantage off his presence — or a shooter’s presence at the five. It definitely helps.” pic.twitter.com/nkJTPn8BHN
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 23, 2025
Those sentiments were more or less echoed by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr after Post played nearly 20 minutes in a blowout victory over the Chicago Bulls. More to the point, Kerr says that the Dutchman’s pick-and-pop ability made Curry “the happiest guy in the building.” That’s exactly what fans should want to hear with how frustrated the two-time NBA MVP has sounded as of late.
Steve Kerr on Quinten Post’s floor spacing: “Steph was the happiest guy in the building tonight.”
Kerr said Post improved his pick-and-roll defense during his G League stints, which has made Kerr more comfortable playing him pic.twitter.com/5vsPilYCNI
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 24, 2025
It isn’t just Curry who Post can help either though. Jonathan Kuminga‘s skillset seems like even more of a fit next to the stretch center. Kerr’s concerns about the spacing when Kuminga is on the court are well-documented. However, that was when they were playing Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney –who are both far more comfortable around the rim than the arc –at center.
Does Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic Fit As Trade Option?
The only problem is that Post is on a two-way contract. If the Warriors clinch a postseason berth, he won’t be eligible to play. Of course, if he’s a legitimate factor in their success, they could convert his contract to a standard deal. However, there’s no guarantee that they will or would.
There’s also the chance that Post regresses. As previously mentioned, he isn’t suddenly developing a three-point stroke. Nonetheless, young players hit walls all the time, especially when they’re highlighted on the scouting report.
All of this leads to the possibility that the Warriors trade for a veteran stretch-five. Looking at the trade market, Bulls center Nikola Vucevic fits that mold. He’s also widely known to be available. Knocking down a career-high 41.2 percent of his threes this season, the 34-year-old could be Golden State’s next starting center. Ironically, Vucevic is reminiscent of former Warriors center David Lee, just with more range.
Using the contract of Dennis Schroder, who hasn’t been able to find his footing in the Bay, Vucevic should be attainable.
