Steve Kerr starts Kuminga, benches Green to boost offense.

After a 12-3 start, the Golden State Warriors are now 13-9 and still “searching, lineup-wise.”

When Draymond Green returned to the lineup after missing two games due to left calf tightness, coach Steve Kerr chose to bring him off the bench. While not unprecedented – Stephen Curry has also come off the bench in the past – Kerr’s reasoning is noteworthy.

“We’re trying to maximize Jonathan [Kuminga],” Kerr said after the 107-90 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kuminga’s Expanded Role

Against the Wolves, Kerr started Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, Kuminga, and Kevon Looney. This was Kuminga’s seventh start of the season, following his career-high 33-point performance against the Houston Rockets. Kerr believes Kuminga can energize the starting lineup, while Green stabilizes the second unit.

“The idea is we’re trying to make the most of Jonathan’s ability to get downhill,” Kerr said. Kuminga’s ability to create offensive advantages is rare on this team, though his 31.1% 3-point shooting remains a challenge for spacing.

Green’s Bench Role

Green, 34, expressed support for Kuminga starting.
“I’m OK with it,” Green said. “I’ve been one of JK’s biggest fans, and he earned this opportunity.” Reflecting on his early career, Green credited his own breakout to David Lee’s willingness to step back in the 2014-15 season.
“You’ve got to give back what came to you,” Green added.

Despite coming off the bench, Green maintains his leadership role. “I don’t look at this as a demotion. I’m a starter in the NBA, but if this helps the team win, I’m for it.”

Warriors’ Offensive Struggles

After a strong start, Golden State’s offense has dropped to the third-worst in the NBA during this slump, per Cleaning The Glass. The team committed a season-high 22 turnovers against Minnesota, highlighting the need for better decision-making and more practice time.

“We’ve been struggling offensively the last couple of weeks,” Kerr admitted. “That’s why I’ve been searching, lineup-wise.”

Curry’s Perspective

Stephen Curry emphasized Kuminga’s importance. “For us to be good, we need him to be the best version of himself,” Curry said. “We have to figure out what unlocks his ability to get downhill and put pressure on the defense.”

The Experiment Continues

Golden State has used 12 different starting lineups this season, a reflection of their depth and injury concerns. With Wiggins (right ankle) and Moses Moody (left knee soreness) potentially sidelined, the rotation could shift further.

For now, Kerr plans to keep experimenting: “It’s a tricky puzzle, but my staff and I need to find the right combinations.”

While the Kuminga-Green lineup experiment may not last long, it’s a bold attempt to address the Warriors’ unique roster challenges and improve their offensive woes.