Quinten Post’s Role Dwindles as Warriors Prepare for Porzingis Era
The Golden State Warriors didn’t exactly whisper their intentions when they traded for Kristaps Porzingis last week. If there was any lingering ambiguity about where Quinten Post fits into the team’s plans, it’s quickly evaporating - and Monday night may have been the clearest signal yet.
Even with Porzingis sidelined until after the All-Star break, Steve Kerr has already started reshaping the rotation. And Post, the 7-foot Dutch big man in his second season, has found himself on the outside looking in.
The Writing’s on the Wall
Let’s be honest - the Porzingis trade didn’t just bolster the Warriors’ frontcourt. It also sent a message about the team’s confidence in Post to contribute meaningfully down the stretch. That message has only grown louder in the three games since the deal.
Despite Porzingis not yet suiting up, Post’s minutes have taken a nosedive. Against the Suns last Thursday?
Under six minutes. Against the Lakers on Saturday?
Less than five. And on Monday night in Memphis, he didn’t step on the court until the fourth quarter - long after the game had tilted in the Grizzlies’ favor.
Kerr leaned heavily on veterans Draymond Green and Al Horford through the first three quarters. Post only saw the floor after the Warriors fell into a double-digit hole, and even then, he logged a quiet five minutes: no shots taken, no points, two assists, and a turnover. Not exactly the kind of performance that forces a coach to rethink the depth chart.
To be fair, it’s tough to make an impact when you’re cold off the bench and tossed into a game that’s already slipping away. But the larger trend is hard to ignore - the Warriors are clearly preparing for a future that doesn’t prominently feature Post.
From Starter to Afterthought
What makes this decline more frustrating for Post is how far he’s fallen in such a short time. Earlier this season, the 25-year-old looked like he was carving out a real niche. His defensive growth was noticeable, and after weeks of fans and analysts calling for a bigger role, Post earned a consistent spot in the starting lineup - holding that role for 22 straight games.
But the one skill that was supposed to separate him - his shooting from deep - just hasn’t clicked the way the Warriors hoped. Post is hitting only 34.5% from three this season. For a stretch big in Golden State’s system, that number just doesn’t move the needle.
Eventually, that cold shooting led to his demotion from the starting five. Now, with Porzingis on the way and the rotation tightening, Post is trending toward his first DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision) of the season.
A Crucial Offseason Ahead
This couldn’t come at a worse time for Post, who’s approaching restricted free agency this summer. He’s shown flashes of being a modern 3-and-D center - mobile, with good instincts and a willingness to stretch the floor. But flashes don’t always translate to minutes, especially on a team with championship aspirations and a suddenly crowded frontcourt.
There’s still time for Post to reassert himself, but the window is shrinking fast. Once Porzingis is back, the margin for error gets even smaller. And if Post wants to secure a meaningful role - in Golden State or elsewhere - he’ll need to make the most of whatever limited opportunities remain.
For now, the Warriors’ message is clear: the future of their frontcourt is being built around Porzingis, not Post.