Warriors Searching for Consistency, But Steve Kerr Believes the Answers Are Already in the Building
SAN FRANCISCO - The Golden State Warriors are hovering around .500, and the frustration is starting to bubble - both inside the locker room and beyond it. But if you ask head coach Steve Kerr, the solution isn’t out there on the trade market. It’s already in the room.
“It feels similar in that we’re inconsistent,” Kerr said after Wednesday’s practice. “We’re around .500, but I know that we have the answer here.”
That’s a notable shift in tone from a year ago, when the Warriors found themselves in a similar midseason rut and ultimately pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler before the 2025 deadline. This time around, Kerr doesn’t see the need for a roster shake-up. What he does see is a team still trying to find its rhythm - and a rotation that’s still very much in flux.
Kerr Betting on Internal Growth, Not External Help
At 13-14, the Warriors are still trying to figure out which combinations work best around their core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Butler. Injuries have made that process even tougher, and Kerr has been candid about the challenge of juggling a deep roster with limited minutes to go around.
“I think we have what we need here,” Kerr said. “But we need to develop more consistency in our play, and that starts with me - giving these guys more consistent roles.”
That’s been easier said than done. The Warriors have 14 or 15 players Kerr says he’s comfortable putting on the floor, but realistically, only 10 or 11 can play each night. That math leaves some talented players on the outside looking in - and leads to tough conversations.
Kuminga’s Work Paying Off Behind the Scenes
One of those players is Jonathan Kuminga, who’s been in and out of the rotation this season. After starting the year strong and earning a spot in the starting lineup, Kuminga hit a rough patch - including a knee injury that sidelined him for seven games. Since returning, he’s struggled to find his footing and was pulled from the rotation entirely after a Dec. 7 game against the Bulls.
But Kerr says the 23-year-old forward has responded the right way behind the scenes, and his hard work in practice is about to be rewarded.
“JK’s been great this last week,” Kerr said. “As he’s been out of the rotation, he’s working really hard and I’m going to reward that. He needs to be back out there.”
Kuminga’s athleticism and defensive versatility remain valuable assets for a team still trying to establish an identity on both ends of the floor. If he can bring energy and consistency, he could play a key role in stabilizing the second unit.
Rookie Will Richard Waiting for His Moment
Another name to watch is rookie guard Will Richard. The second-round pick out of Florida turned heads early in the season, starting 12 games and showing flashes of two-way potential. But as the team has gotten healthier, Richard has seen his minutes dry up - he hasn’t played since logging 24 minutes in that same Dec. 7 game against Chicago.
Kerr recently spoke with Richard about the situation and came away impressed with the rookie’s maturity.
“The great thing with Will is he gets it,” Kerr said. “I went to him last week and told him I was gonna take him out of the rotation because we’re getting healthy and I want to play my vets and give everybody a look. And he said, ‘I got you, coach.’”
Richard’s time will come again. For now, he’s staying ready - and that’s all Kerr can ask from a young player trying to carve out a role on a veteran-heavy squad.
Al Horford Nearing Return, But Not Quite There Yet
Veteran big man Al Horford, sidelined recently with a sciatica issue, participated fully in Wednesday’s short practice. That’s a positive step forward, but Kerr made it clear that Horford still needs more time to ramp up his conditioning before returning to game action.
“It’s now about ramping back up,” Kerr said. “Rhythm, conditioning - he’s got to keep stacking these days together.”
Horford’s presence, even at this stage of his career, offers valuable leadership and frontcourt stability. The Warriors are hoping his return can help settle a rotation that’s still very much in flux.
Frustration Mounting, But Kerr Preaches Patience
Outside of Curry - who continues to perform at an elite level - the Warriors have struggled to string together consistent performances. The inconsistency has been maddening for fans, and even ownership is feeling it. A recent email from team owner Joe Lacob to a frustrated fan made the rounds online, revealing that the frustration isn’t just on the court - it’s coming from the very top of the organization.
Kerr understands it. He feels it too. But he’s not panicking.
“I just think we’re in a state right now where we’ve been inconsistent,” Kerr said. “We’ve been losing.
Guys have been out with injuries, other guys have been in and out of the lineup, so there’s frustration for sure, from all of us. From Joe, we know that, too.”
The challenge, Kerr says, is to keep the group together through the turbulence - and to remember just how thin the line is between winning and losing in the NBA.
“Any time you have a stretch like this in the NBA, then you feel the fragility of it all,” he said. “You feel the vulnerability. So it’s important for me, for our veteran leaders, to rally the troops, get the guys together, and remind them that margin for error in this league between winning and losing is like that.”
He snapped his fingers.
“We’re losing a bunch of close ones. We can flip this thing - and we do that together. It always has to be together, or it won’t work.”
Bottom Line
The Warriors aren’t where they want to be. But they’re not blowing things up, either. Kerr believes in the group he has - and he’s betting that with a little health, a little rhythm, and a lot more consistency, this team can still find its stride.