Draymond Green Takes a Backseat as Warriors Experiment with Lineup Changes
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors are shaking things up, and it’s not just a minor tweak. In a bold move, head coach Steve Kerr decided to start Jonathan Kuminga while bringing veteran Draymond Green off the bench during Friday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The result? A tough 107-90 loss at the Chase Center, leaving fans and analysts wondering if this experiment will pay off in the long run.
For a team that started the season 12-3, the Warriors have hit a rough patch, losing six of their last seven games. Friday’s game was no exception, as the Warriors struggled offensively, shooting just 39% from the field and a dismal 11-for-39 from beyond the arc. Minnesota’s defense clamped down hard, leaving Golden State searching for answers.
Draymond Green: Team-First Mentality
Despite the shake-up, Green is taking the change in stride. “Of course, I’m OK with it,” Green said after the game. “I have been one of JK’s [Kuminga’s] biggest fans since he’s been here. And so if he has an opportunity to start, you can’t be hypocritical and [if] they’re like we want him to start, but it’ll be [up to] you, you can’t be like, ah, it’s not for me, that don’t work. I want to see him do well.”
Green, a 13-year veteran, emphasized that his willingness to come off the bench is about helping the team win and fostering Kuminga’s growth. “If his opportunity goes through me, then it is what it is. He earned the opportunity. He played extremely well [on Thursday]. You want to give that another look or two or three or four or however long. If it works, then you continue with it.”
Kuminga’s Big Opportunity
The Warriors are clearly banking on Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, to step up. On Thursday, he showed flashes of his potential, scoring a career-high 33 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Warriors to a 99-93 win over the Houston Rockets. That victory snapped a five-game losing streak and gave fans a glimpse of what Kuminga could bring to the table.
In Friday’s game, Kuminga scored 13 points in 29 minutes, but the team’s overall offensive struggles overshadowed his performance. Still, Kerr is optimistic about what Kuminga can bring to the starting lineup. “The idea is we are trying to make the most of Jonathan’s ability to get downhill, get him more time,” Kerr said. “He and Wigs [Andrew Wiggins] were fantastic [against Houston]. We are searching for ways to get those guys more involved and not wear down Draymond and Steph [Curry]. That is kind of the trick and finding combinations within that.”
Injuries Add to the Challenge
The Warriors’ rotation is further complicated by injuries to Andrew Wiggins (ankle) and Moses Moody (left knee soreness), both of whom left Friday’s game and did not return. Their status for Sunday’s rematch against the Timberwolves remains uncertain, leaving Kerr with even more decisions to make.
Looking Ahead
For Green, this lineup change is reminiscent of his own rise to prominence. “I am a product of my vet being willing to take a backseat for me,” Green said, referencing how David Lee’s injury in 2014-15 allowed him to step into a starting role. That season, the Warriors went on to win the championship. “So you got to give back what came to you. That’s what this is about.”
Meanwhile, Curry is fully on board with giving Kuminga a bigger role. “For us to be good, you saw [what Kuminga did] in the Houston game, you’ve seen flashes,” Curry said. “We need him to be the best version of himself. We have to be able to figure out whether it’s play calls, whether it’s certain rotation or lineup, combinations, what can unlock his ability to get downhill, put pressure on the basket, demand attention from the defense. He’s a big weapon for us.”
Key Takeaways
- The Warriors are experimenting with a new starting lineup, featuring Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green coming off the bench.
- Golden State has lost six of its last seven games, struggling offensively in Friday’s 107-90 loss to Minnesota.
- Injuries to Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody add further uncertainty to the team’s rotation.
- Head coach Steve Kerr is focused on finding the right combinations to maximize Kuminga’s potential while managing the workload of veterans like Green and Curry.
As the Warriors navigate this experimental phase, all eyes will be on Kuminga to see if he can rise to the occasion and help the team regain its winning form. For now, the Warriors are betting on youth and versatility to turn their season around.
Originally Written by: Kendra Andrews
