The Golden State Warriors have been left exploring Kristaps Porzingis trade options just as the season gets underway, making their decision to move on from Quinten Post in the summer even worse.
Porzingis' status as effectively an expiring $20 million contract has already been used to defend the decision to give him a new deal. However, if that were the case, why not just give Post an inflated one-year, $20 million deal instead?
Quinten Post decision looks worse after Kristaps Porzingis trade reports
It's easy to say in hindsight, but the Warriors must have had some idea of the extent of Porzingis' health concerns. You could perhaps give them a pass when it came to trading for him on an expiring deal in February, but that's not the case with the offseason contract after they were able to medically evaluate him themselves.
Now we've got to a point where Post, even after getting a significant three-year, non-guaranteed contract from the Memphis Grizzlies, is legitimately more valuable than Porzingis who might have to step away permanently from the game due to his health issues.
The idea of giving Post $20 million seems laughable, but in retrospect it's something the Warriors should have actually considered. As many have pointed out, they had Porzingis' bird rights and it's not as if they could have given his $20 million to an external free agent. They could have, however, given that money to Post.
Perhaps the league would have stepped in at that point knowing it were simply an inflated deal for trade purposes. Regardless, at least the Warriors would be able to utilize Post on the floor right now, having gone into Wednesday's season opener with Porzingis and reserve center Charles Bassey on the sidelines.
Quinten Post makes Grizzlies debut on Wednesday against Jazz
Post made his regular season debut for Memphis on Wednesday after signing a three-year, $30 million deal that Golden State refused to match. The third-year big man played 19 minutes off the bench, recording seven points and a rebound on 3-of-4 shooting, including 1-of-2 from 3-point range.
The young Grizzlies were very impressive against the visiting Utah Jazz, recording a 123-103 victory behind dominant second and third quarters where they outscored their opponents a combined 69-48.
While Post played his part, it was another former Warrior who stole the show in Memphis. Ty Jerome went for an extraordinary 45 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 17-of-25 shooting in the 20-point win.
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