It seems likely that the Golden State Warriors are going to cycle through a lot of different starting lineups this season, but every year begins with one game, and every game begins with one starting lineup.
And for the Warriors, that first lineup is a combination of youth and age.
The Warriors’ starting five to open the year has been a hot topic over the last week, and we finally know what it is. According to reporter Brett Siegel, the Dubs will start youngsters Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga next to the Hall of Fame-bound trio of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green.
Things have been trending in that direction for the bulk of the day. Steve Kerr all but admitted that Podziemski would be the starting two guard with Moses Moody injured, and buzz had been building that Kerr would insert Kuminga into the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Many had speculated that veteran Al Horford would be in the starting five, but it seems as though Kerr will try to keep him on the bench. Horford is likely to be part of the closing lineup, and Kerr is trying to limit his minutes, which makes it difficult to have him start. That said, it seems likely that the starting five will be fluid … Moody and De’Anthony Melton will be candidates to start when they’re healthy, and it’s logical to assume that a traditional center will be in there at some point, as the Warriors have historically tried to avoid starting Green at the five and wearing him down.
But for now, this is the starting quintet. It’s a show of trust in Kuminga, who has had a fantastic training camp following his months-long contract stalemate. It’s been abundantly clear over the last few weeks that Kerr is high on what Kuminga is bringing to the table currently, and sees him as a big part of the rotation. That said, Kerr has not hid the fact that the team has not found a way to make the spatially-challenged trio of Green, Butler, and Kuminga work, so it’s certainly an intriguing look to begin the year with.
As for the Lakers, who are without superstar LeBron James, their starting five is Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton.
