Golden State Warriors rookies Quinten Post and Gui Santos have impressed in recent games, sparking trade speculation. The young players' success could lead to the Warriors shedding veteran contracts to create more playing time for them.
It’s been just a handful of games, but Steve Kerr has seen enough. Rookie Quinten Post and quasi-rookie Gui Santos have their head coach’s confidence as they help fill in for the injured Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
“It’s just a question of once we’re healthy and JK and Draymond are back, are there minutes?” Even if Kerr believes in his young role players — and he has reason to — the sample size is too small to map out what the rotation might look like in a couple weeks at full strength. Post has played just two real NBA games and Santos has only a few more on the back of his basketball card. Still, both late second-round picks have made the most of limited opportunities. Santos has swung games with his energy, offensive rebounding, smart passing and outside shooting. Post dropped 20 points in a commanding win over the Bulls, outplaying the stretch-five prototype Nikola Vucevic on the other side.with his motor. Post has the potential to provide a new element they’ve been seeking for years: A center who can space the floor and therefore open up driving lanes for wings and divert attention on the perimeter away from Steph Curry. “Steph was the happiest guy in the building tonight with all that room to work with,” Kerr said. “The game got a lot easier for all of our guys.” Post got up 10 3-pointers (and two more field goal attempts) in 19 minutes. He figured he might as well play his game and let it fly if the team was calling on him. He’d been tearing up the G League as the Warriors stumbled to a bottom-10 of offensive rating amid a disastrous 9-19 stretch. Santos, meanwhile, arrived on the scene as the Warriors were in the midst of a crisis of confidence and struggling briefly with their competitive spirit. His hustle plays can be contagious and he’s now up to 18-for-39 (46.2%) from behind the arc. He and Post became the first duo in franchise history to each hit at least five 3s off the bench in a game.The Warriors weren’t counting on either to contribute this season. Although Post is 24 years old, Golden State selected him with the 52nd pick anticipating a steep learning curve. He grew up in Amsterdam idolizing Dirk Nowitzki, but even he admitted he might be half as skilled as the Hall of Famer.Santos — the 55th pick in 2022 — was buried in a veteran wing depth chart. The son of two basketball players, Santos is one of several Basketball Without Borders alumni in the league now. Even as a pro with a club in the Brazilian League, he didn’t get much playing experience. But circumstances change. The Warriors have dealt with a slew of injuries and slid from 12-3 to .500. Their offense has ranked 26th since December. Teams are face-guarding and doubling Curry constantly, forcing other Warriors to beat them — and those other Warriors either haven’t been able to hit open shots or haven’t been able to finish at the rim.The Feb. 6 trade deadline is two weeks away. The Warriors have had too many puzzle pieces that look too similar all season, and Post and Santos make the box slightly heavier. If Kerr and the Warriors truly believe in the pair of youngsters, if they can be as productive in the long-term as they have been in the past week, it’s possible the organization feels more comfortable parting with some veterans in consolidation trades than they otherwise would have.Santos only makes the Warriors’ logjam at the forward position more complicated. The list of players Golden State considers best at the four? Green, Kuminga, Moses Moody, Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II and Santos. Post, as a floor-spacing center, could make either Kevon Looney or Trayce Jackson-Davis more expendable, if the Warriors truly believe he can consistently contribute at the moment. That’s a big if: defending in space and avoiding fouls are real concerns for the rookie. Veteran players like Anderson, Buddy Hield and Payton — ahead of both youngsters in the pecking order initially — could become more dispensable if Post and Santos carve out true roles. It still wouldn’t be a mortgaging of the future, but subtracting veterans to shovel out a path for Santos and Post, while potentially shedding salary to dip under the luxury tax would make sense. The question is whether there will be minutes for Post and Santos when everyone on the roster is fully healthy is somewhat missing the point. If Post and Santos truly deserve minutes, and continue playing like they have, then trading away a few players — perhaps on expiring deals — is the way to ensure they remain in the mi
Golden State Warriors Quinten Post Gui Santos NBA Trade Rumors Rookies Warriors Roster Steve Kerr
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Golden State Warriors' Post-Durant Era: A Tale of Two TimelinesThe Golden State Warriors' journey since Kevin Durant's departure in 2019 has been marked by extremes, from an unexpected championship in 2022 to a disappointing 2020 season plagued by injuries. Stephen Curry reflects on the team's 'two timelines' strategy, which aimed to rebuild while maintaining competitiveness.
Read more »
Reaves Sinks Warriors, Lakers Top Golden State in Christmas ThrillerAustin Reaves leads the Lakers to victory over the Warriors on Christmas Day with a game-winning shot. Steph Curry and LeBron James put on a scoring clinic, but Reaves' all-around performance proves decisive.
Read more »
Golden State Warriors Make Injury Announcement After Lakers GameThe Warriors will be without a key player for at least one week due to injury.
Read more »
Kenny Atkinson: Golden State Warriors' 'Finishing School' Completes Caveliers CoachKenny Atkinson, now head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, credits his three seasons as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr as instrumental in his development as a coach. Atkinson highlights Kerr's culture of joy, championship moves, emotional control, and ability to coach star players as key lessons learned.
Read more »
Golden State Warriors Fans Call for Steve Kerr's Firing After StrugglesGolden State Warriors fans are expressing their frustration with Coach Steve Kerr's performance, calling for his dismissal amidst the team's recent struggles.
Read more »
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Golden State Warriors FREE LIVE STREAM (1/2/25): Watch NBA regular seasonThe Philadelphia 76ers face the Golden State Warriors in a regular season game on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 (1/2/25) at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif.
Read more »