Quinten Post's future at the Golden State Warriors may hinge on the decision of Al Horford, with the veteran center holding a $6 million player option to enter what would be a 20th NBA season.
With reports already emerging of mutual interest in a new deal between the Warriors and Kristaps Porzingis, the front office may prove willing to move on from Post if they can also secure Horford for next season.
Quinten Post's future could be in jeopardy if Al Horford opts in
After holding a significant role that included 22-straight starts early and midway through the season, Post's minutes were immediately reduced upon the Porzingis acquisition from the Atlanta Hawks before the trade deadline.
Given Porzingis and Horford have each faced stints on the sidelines in the past two months, Post has still seen minutes in the rotation. However, he himself has dealt with a foot injury that was re-aggravated in Denver on Sunday, putting into question the remainder of his season and his future with the franchise.
The 26-year-old is set to hit restricted free agency in the summer, and the back end of his second season means his new deal, whether with Golden State or elsewhere, is unlikely to be what Post had once envisioned.
Not to be overdramatic, but that deadset might be the last time we see QP in a Warrior jersey 🤔
— Peter O’Keefe (@POK252) March 30, 2026
This foot injury has derailed his end to the season ☹️
With Horford turning 40 in June and Porzingis' health and injury history well chronicled, the Warriors will undoubtedly be needing a third center on their roster heading into next season. Yet whether that third big man is Post remains to be seen after what's been ultimately an underwhelming second year.
If Porzingis and Horford are both back as stretch bigs, perhaps Golden State instead choose to go for a more traditional, athletic rim runner to complement the two veterans. Given the availability issues of that pair, the Warriors may also want someone more proven than Post who they believe can play more consistently across an entire regular season.
Quinten Post can still hold value to an NBA team
If Porzingis walks as a free agent or Horford opts out and does the same (whether into retirement or another team), it's hard to see Golden State moving on from Post considering he's still been a nice piece for them after being taken 52nd overall at the 2024 NBA Draft.
While the Warriors could be willing to move on if Porzingis and Horford remain, there's no doubt that Post will get an opportunity somewhere based on his skillset. We're only one year removed from the seven-footer shooting a team-high 40.8% from 3-point range in his rookie campaign, while he did show signs of improved rim protection and interior defense earlier this season.
Post certainly has a long-term future in the league if he can merge the two into being a genuine 3-and-D big man, but whether that happens at the Warriors or not could now be out of his own control.