Full Breakdown
Warriors Pass on Quinten Post Offer Sheet, Center Joins Memphis Grizzlies
7/8/2026, 12:52:56 PM
Warriors Decline to Match Quinten Post Offer Sheet
On July 8, 2026 the Golden State Warriors elected not to match the Memphis Grizzlies’ three-year, $30 million offer sheet for restricted-free-agent center Quinten Post. The deadline expired at 8:59 p.m. PT, and Post’s contract became effective with Memphis.
Context: Salary Constraints and Frontcourt Depth
Golden State entered the offseason near the NBA salary-cap “apron” while pursuing free-agent LeBron James. The team had already re-signed veteran bigs Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis, positioning Post as the third-string center. The $9 million guaranteed first year, combined with contract incentives that count toward the apron, made a match financially unattractive.
Key Players and Organizations
- Quinten Post – 26-year-old Dutch stretch-big, No. 52 pick in the 2024 draft.
- Golden State Warriors – led by General Manager Mike Dunleavy.
- Memphis Grizzlies – front office seeking frontcourt depth around Zach Edey and Isaiah Stewart.
- Shams Charania – NBA reporter who broke the news.
- Bobby Marks – ESPN analyst commenting on the rarity of the move.
- Jake Fischer – NBA insider providing contract-incentive details.
- League sources – cited for contract structure.
Contract Details and Performance Metrics
Post appeared in 109 games (49 starts) over two seasons with Golden State, averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 16.9 minutes. He shot 36.4 % from three-point range on more than four attempts per game. In his rookie year he made 73 threes at 41 % in 42 games; his sophomore three-point percentage fell to 33.6 %. The Memphis offer guarantees $9 million in year 1; years 2 and 3 are valued at $8.5 million–$8.55 million each and are non-guaranteed. Each season includes “unlikely” incentives—reported as $1.2 million, $1.35 million, or $1.3 million—tied to defensive accolades and counted toward the Warriors’ apron.
Official Statements & Responses
Warriors officials confirmed the decision was driven by cap-space considerations and the depth chart, noting that the qualifying offer of $2.6 million signaled interest but that the $9 million incentive-laden sheet exceeded the team’s flexibility. Memphis executives described the signing as a strategic move to bolster a thin frontcourt, adding Post alongside recent draft picks Cameron Boozer and Karim Lopez and recent acquisitions Isaiah Stewart and Zach Edey.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts and fans labeled the move “regrettable,” arguing that Post’s shooting ability could have provided valuable stretch-big minutes behind Horford and Porzingis. Critics warned that losing a developing three-point-shooting center may limit Golden State’s spacing options and force the franchise to seek a minimum-salary replacement amid a crowded free-agency market.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact incentive amounts: league sources cite $1.35 million (first year) and $1.2 million (subsequent years), while Jake Fischer reports a uniform $1.3 million per season for All-Defense Team eligibility. The non-guaranteed salary for years 2-3 is listed as $8.5 million in one report and $8.55 million in another. No direct comment from the Warriors’ front office has been published.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Golden State Warriors decided not to match Quinten Post's three-year, $30 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies, allowing the 7-footer to join Memphis, sources tell ESPN.” — Shams Charania, NBA Reporter (Twitter)
- “According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, it’s the first time since 2020 that a restricted free agent received an offer sheet of at least $5 million and it wasn’t matched by his original team.” — Bobby Marks, ESPN Analyst
- “35 million in unlikely incentives, league sources said, which hits the apron calculations and makes it more unappealing for a projected tax team like the Warriors to match.” — League sources (ESPN)
- “3 million in unlikely incentives each season should he be named to an All-NBA Defensive Team.” — Jake Fischer, NBA Insider
- “The Grizzlies needed more quality center depth on the roster, and they got it in Quinten Post.” — Beale Street Bears analysis
What’s Next
Memphis will integrate Post into a revamped frontcourt that already features Zach Edey, Isaiah Stewart and rookie Cameron Boozer. Golden State must address its center shortage; speculation centers on a possible signing of former Warriors forward-center Charles Bassey or a trade for additional size. Both teams will finalize roster moves before the regular season begins in October.
