MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Restricted free-agent center Quinten Post has accepted a three-year, $30 million offer sheet from the Memphis Grizzlies, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. The Golden State Warriors have until Tuesday night to match the deal and retain the 7-footer.
Cap analyst Yossi Gozlan (The Third Apron) noted the Grizzlies are using their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to craft the offer. If Golden State declines to match, Memphis would still need another mechanism to pursue Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart.
League insiders believe the Warriors may let Post walk to maintain spending flexibility for other moves, including their ongoing pursuit of LeBron James. Jake Fischer (The Stein Line) said Golden State had anticipated an offer sheet, while ESPN’s Anthony Slater added that the club values Post as a backup center but could balk at the price.
Lakers Add Defensive Anchor
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers addressed their frontcourt by completing a sign-and-trade for center Walker Kessler, a player The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie calls an ideal partner for Luka Doncic.
Vecenie highlighted Kessler’s rim protection, help defense and growing versatility, predicting at least one future All-Defensive Team nod. Although he does not project Kessler to reach Rudy Gobert’s level, Vecenie believes the 22-year-old’s ceiling tops that of Jarrett Allen and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Offensively, Kessler is expected to screen, finish lobs and crash the glass—traits viewed as complementary to Doncic and Austin Reaves. The concern, Vecenie wrote, is the considerable draft capital Los Angeles surrendered; the move must pay off for the franchise to maximize the current Doncic window.
Bucks Ink Tenth Overall Pick
MILWAUKEE — The Bucks have signed No. 10 overall pick Brayden Burries to a four-year rookie contract worth roughly $29.2 million, the team announced. Burries will earn about $6.4 million in his first season.
The former Arizona guard averaged 16.1 points and earned First Team All-Big 12 honors in his lone collegiate campaign. Some draft projections had him slotted at No. 9 to Dallas before the Mavericks selected Morez Johnson Jr., clearing the way for Milwaukee.
Burries becomes one of the first key additions of the Bucks’ post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era. Fellow first-rounder Nate Ament is expected to sign once the blockbuster Antetokounmpo trade is finalized.
Source: Hoops Wire
