Warriors would like to keep Jonathan Kuminga in starting lineup, Draymond Green on bench

As we relayed Friday, the Warriors are looking for another star player to pair next to Stephen Curry, whether that’s internally or externally. Golden State is giving Jonathan Kuminga an extended look to become that star and, with Curry and Draymond Green returning from injury in Friday’s game, they moved Green to the bench with Kuminga earning the starting role.

According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater (Twitter link), the Warriors would like to keep Kuminga in the starting lineup and Green on the bench in the near future. Head coach Steve Kerr said the goal is to maximize Kuminga and not wear down the 34-year-old Green.

For his part, Green expressed support for the move. The four-time All-Star said he isn’t sure how long this particular lineup change will last, but he wants to fully uplift Kuminga if the franchise thinks he’s a star-caliber player moving forward, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk writes.

“I don’t necessarily look at it as like this demotion,” Green said. “I’m a starter in the NBA. I know that. But if it’s something to try to help this team win, I’m always going to be for it. I hate losing. I care about this organization, and I know a lot of people in this organization, including myself, think he’s next. And so if he’s next, at some point we got to see it.”

When former Warriors forward David Lee got injured, Green took over for him as a starter, taking off and eventually helping Golden State claim the title in 2014-15. Green said he’s not interested in serving as a road block for Kuminga’s success in the league.

“I am a product of my vet being willing to take a backseat for me,” Green said. “So you got to give back what came to you. That’s what this is about.”

The calculus for what exactly Golden State’s rotation looks like is somewhat in question after starter Andrew Wiggins and reserve Moses Moody both exited the game with injuries. Wiggins limped to the locker room early in the third quarter before eventually being ruled out with an ankle injury. Moody is dealing with knee soreness. Regardless of how the starting unit looks until the team is healthier, the plan is for Green to close out halves at center.

One game after recording a season-high 33 points against Houston, Kuminga notched 13 on Friday against Minnesota, though he was the team’s second-highest scorer behind Curry in a game the Warriors scored just 90 in.

He’s averaging 14.8 points and 4.2 rebounds this year while shooting 44.8% from the field and 31.1% from three. Those numbers are down from last year, but he’s averaging 19.2 points in his last five games, four of which were starts.

“For us to be good, you saw flashes against Houston, we need him to be his best version,” Curry said, per Youngmisuk.