Quinten Post’s Starting Role Highlights Why the Warriors Still Need a Center Upgrade

Quinten Post may technically be the Golden State Warriors’ starting center, but Steve Kerr’s handling of the young big man in recent weeks paints a clear picture: the franchise may still need an upgrade at the position before next month’s trade deadline.

Post has now started 19 consecutive games, a stretch that on the surface suggests he has cemented himself as part of the Warriors’ long-term rotation. Yet minutes often tell a more honest story than the starting lineup, and in Post’s case, they reveal a role that remains fragile.

Despite opening games at center, Post has not played more than 19 minutes in any of his last six appearances. In several of those contests, his time on the floor has been limited to short bursts at the beginning of each half before he disappears from the rotation for extended stretches. That usage pattern alone underscores Kerr’s continued uncertainty about relying on the second-year center for extended minutes.

Golden State is winning — and that complicates everything.

The Warriors are 10–4 over their last 14 games and are playing their best basketball of the season. When a team finds momentum, coaches are reluctant to make changes, even if underlying issues still exist. Kerr has clearly found a rotation that works, even if it’s imperfect, and Post’s current role fits neatly into that delicate balance.

However, his usage also quietly exposes why the Warriors could still benefit from adding another center before the trade deadline.

A Starter in Name Only

Post’s current deployment makes him something of a ceremonial starter. He typically plays the first four to six minutes of each half, provides early size, sets a few screens, and then yields the floor to veteran alternatives.

Once he checks out, Kerr leans heavily on a combination of Al Horford and Draymond Green. Horford has rounded into form off the bench, providing stability, intelligence, and spacing, while Green continues to operate as the team’s most trusted small-ball five. When games tighten, Post is often nowhere to be found.

That lack of consistent run makes it difficult for any young player to find rhythm. Sitting on the bench for long stretches disrupts shooting flow, defensive timing, and confidence — issues that may partially explain Post’s offensive regression this season.

After leading the Warriors in three-point percentage as a rookie at 40.8%, Post is now shooting just 33.5% from deep. The decline has been noticeable, particularly because his ability to stretch the floor was supposed to be his defining offensive skill.

Without consistent shooting, his margin for error shrinks significantly.

Defensive Growth, Offensive Uncertainty

To Post’s credit, he has taken steps forward defensively. His positioning has improved, he’s been more disciplined in pick-and-roll coverage, and he’s shown a better understanding of team defensive principles. For a young center in Kerr’s system — notoriously complex and demanding — that progress matters.

Still, defense alone has not earned him greater trust.

Over the Warriors’ last 14 games, the team is minus-17 in Post’s minutes, the worst net rating of any player averaging at least 15 minutes per game during that stretch. While lineup data can be misleading, it reinforces why Kerr continues to keep his leash short.

Golden State is a veteran-driven team trying to win now. Development comes second to results, especially when Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are leading the charge. Kerr simply cannot afford long experimental stretches when games are tight, and Post has yet to prove he can consistently tilt minutes in the Warriors’ favor.

Why a Center Upgrade Still Makes Sense

Despite their recent surge, the Warriors’ frontcourt remains unconventional and fragile.

Draymond Green remains undersized at center against elite bigs. Horford, while effective, is aging and best suited for controlled minutes. Post offers youth and size, but not yet consistency.

That leaves Golden State in a familiar spot: functional, but vulnerable.

In a playoff setting, matchups become magnified. Teams with physical centers or elite rim protectors could exploit the Warriors over a seven-game series. Even if Post continues starting beyond the trade deadline, it’s difficult to envision him playing 25-plus minutes against top Western Conference competition.

This is why the idea of a center upgrade continues to linger.

The Warriors were briefly linked to Anthony Davis, but that possibility has all but evaporated. Injury concerns aside, Davis would likely prefer to play alongside another center rather than replace one entirely, making the fit questionable even before considering the cost.

Other names such as Nic Claxton and Daniel Gafford have been floated in league circles. Both would provide athleticism, rim protection, and vertical spacing — qualities Golden State lacks. Yet neither is an ideal stylistic match.

Adding a traditional rim-running big raises spacing concerns, especially in lineups featuring Green and Butler, two players defenders are comfortable sagging off. The Warriors’ offense already walks a fine line, and clogging the paint could do more harm than good.

That lack of a perfect option may ultimately prevent the front office from acting.

Post’s Challenge Moving Forward

There remains a strong chance Quinten Post is still the Warriors’ starting center after the trade deadline passes. The team is winning, chemistry is improving, and no obvious upgrade screams necessity.

But starting is no longer enough.

If Post wants to solidify his place beyond a symbolic role, he must give Kerr a reason to extend his minutes. That likely means rediscovering his shooting stroke, continuing defensive improvement, and impacting games positively in short windows.

At 12–15 minutes per night, every possession matters. One blown rotation or missed open three carries more weight when opportunities are limited.

The good news for Post is that Kerr clearly trusts him enough to keep him in the starting lineup. The bad news is that trust has not yet extended beyond the opening tip.

The Bigger Picture

Golden State’s recent success has masked some structural questions, but it hasn’t erased them. The Warriors look better, more connected, and more dangerous than earlier in the season — yet the center position remains unresolved.

Post is part of the solution, but perhaps not the full answer.

Whether the front office chooses patience or pursuit at the deadline may depend on how much they believe Post can grow over the next two months. For now, he represents both progress and limitation — a young big holding down the position, while simultaneously highlighting why an upgrade may still be necessary.

If the Warriors truly believe they can contend this season, the decision surrounding the center spot could quietly define how far they go.