The Grizzlies’ Quinten Post deal is looking sharper by the day, and the timing of a division rival’s latest move only makes it stand out more.
What once drew some early side-eye - a three-year, $30 million contract for Post - now looks a lot cleaner when stacked against the Pelicans’ decision to hand DeAndre Jordan a two-year deal worth almost $8 million. On the surface, the Grizzlies’ number seemed hefty. But the structure mattered, and the way the center market unfolded has made Memphis’ move look smart.
The key difference is simple: the Grizzlies got the better player and the better fit. The Pelicans, meanwhile, appeared to pay for a move they didn’t really need to make.
Memphis had a clear offseason goal: strengthen the frontcourt around Zach Edey. That work started with Isaiah Stewart, but the Grizzlies still needed another center behind him and Edey. By moving quickly for Post, they avoided getting stuck waiting on a thin market that never really offered much value.
And value is where this gets interesting. Post’s $9 million guaranteed in Year 1 suddenly looks far more reasonable when compared with Jordan’s deal, which comes out to almost $4 million this season. Post is younger, and at this stage of their careers, he’s the one who should provide more impact.
The Grizzlies’ financial position also helped them make the move. Their frontcourt remains one of the cheapest in the league, thanks in part to this year’s draft and the fact that Edey is still on his rookie deal. Stewart’s contract fits that picture too, with $15 million due next season and a team option for the 2027 offseason.
That’s what makes the Post signing look even better now. Memphis acted early, got its guy, and didn’t overextend itself in a market that was already shaky. Then the Pelicans came along days later and handed out a contract that only sharpened the contrast.
For a Grizzlies team trying to rebuild quickly, it’s another sign they’ve started the offseason on the right foot.
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