Steve Kerr hints at a potential bench role for All-Star guard
It has been nearly three months since the Golden State Warriors traded for star point guard Chris Paul, and although the team has been evasive as to whether or not he'll start or come off the bench, coach Steve Kerr may have just hinted at his plans for the 12-time All-Star.
The addition of Paul will no doubt have a drastic effect on the makeup of this Warriors team. The starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney have long-established chemistry with one another, which translated on the court as they posted a +22.1 net rating per Cleaning The Glass. The team also won the 2022 NBA Championship due in large part to the dominance of this starting five.
Kerr’s focus on constant off-ball movement, screening actions and quick passes runs counter to Paul’s approach to the game, who prefers a healthy dose of pick-and-roll and setting the table with the ball in his hands.
It’s hard to think that Kerr would move away from the lineup that has brought the Warriors so much success in the past and perhaps his unwillingness to definitively declare Paul’s role on the team is due in part to not wanting to offend the prideful star.
"It only works if the whole team buys in," Kerr added, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
The ideal role for the 38-year-old at this stage in his career, is coming off the bench in the Andre Iguodala role, which allows him to run the second unit and maximize his skill set. Paul will be surrounded by athletic wings Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, and a defensive-minded guard in Gary Payton II. The team also appears to be interested in providing Paul with a lob threat, as evidenced by their meeting with veteran big man Dwight Howard.
With training camp set to start next week, the team will be getting its first look at what they have in Paul and from there, decide what the best role for him will be.
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