In a season where the Golden State Warriors have struggled to find consistency, rookie guard Will Richard has been one of the few bright spots. Selected 56th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Richard wasn’t expected to be a major contributor right away-but he’s defied expectations, flashing a game that looks tailor-made for the league from Day 1.
Through his first 23 appearances, the 22-year-old has averaged 8.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting just under 40% from beyond the arc. That’s not just solid for a second-round pick-it’s the kind of production that usually earns a rookie more minutes, not fewer. And yet, in a move that raised eyebrows around the league, Steve Kerr recently pulled Richard from the rotation in back-to-back losses to the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers.
So what gives?
According to head coach Steve Kerr, the decision wasn’t about anything Richard did wrong. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
“The great thing with Will is he gets it,” Kerr said. “I went to him last week, told him I’m going to take him out of the rotation because we’re getting healthy, and I want to play my vets and give everybody, you know, a look.”
That kind of transparency is classic Kerr, and Richard’s response-taking the move in stride-is a testament to his maturity. It’s not easy for any rookie to accept a reduced role, especially one who’s been producing efficiently on both ends of the floor. But Richard has shown he’s not just physically ready for the NBA grind; he’s mentally locked in, too.
Defensively, he’s been a quiet force. His 1.1 defensive box plus-minus speaks to the impact he’s made guarding the perimeter and making smart reads. Offensively, his nearly 40% clip from deep has provided a much-needed spark for a Warriors team that’s lacked consistent shooting outside of Stephen Curry.
But with veterans like De’Anthony Melton returning to the fold and the rapid development of Pat Spencer, Kerr is leaning into experience as Golden State looks to stabilize a season that’s teetering on the edge. The Warriors are walking a tightrope between developing young talent and making the most of what could be the final prime years of their franchise cornerstone, the 37-year-old Curry-who, by the way, is still playing at an MVP level despite the team’s sub-.500 record.
It’s a tough balancing act. On one hand, Richard has earned his minutes.
On the other, Kerr is trying to squeeze every ounce of competitiveness out of this roster in support of Curry, whose window for title contention won’t stay open forever. That means tough decisions-like shelving a promising rookie-even when it doesn’t seem fair.
Still, don’t expect Richard to stay on the bench for long. His skill set, maturity, and two-way impact are too valuable to ignore, especially for a team that’s been searching for reliable contributors off the bench. If the Warriors continue to struggle, look for Kerr to revisit that rotation-and don’t be surprised if Richard reclaims his spot sooner rather than later.
For now, the Warriors are betting on veteran experience to get them back on track. But with a rookie like Will Richard waiting in the wings, they’ve got a pretty good insurance policy if that plan doesn’t pan out.