The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads. The familiar formula that once delivered championships now feels a step slow, a bit off rhythm-and there’s a growing belief around the league that a simple tweak won’t be enough to get things back on track.
One of the more intriguing ideas being floated? A bold reconfiguration of the roster rotation, including the possibility of trading Jonathan Kuminga and temporarily moving Draymond Green out of the starting lineup.
Let’s start with Kuminga. The 21-year-old forward is a bundle of athleticism and potential, but his role has been anything but steady.
One night he’s logging starter minutes, the next he’s stuck on the bench. That inconsistency reached a new level this past week.
After missing three games, Kuminga returned Thursday and played just nine minutes, going 1-for-5 from the field. It’s the kind of usage that raises eyebrows-especially with the trade window opening for him on January 15.
Around the league, there’s still belief in Kuminga’s upside. Rival teams see a player who could thrive in a different system, one that gives him more runway to grow and play through mistakes.
In Golden State, though, the clock is ticking. This team isn’t built to wait on development.
It’s built to win now, while Stephen Curry is still playing at an elite level.
That brings us to Draymond Green. The heartbeat of the Warriors’ dynasty has had a turbulent stretch-both on and off the court.
His recent suspension aside, his on-court production has dipped. Turnovers are up.
Shooting efficiency is down. And while his defensive IQ remains among the best in the league, the offensive spacing has become a real issue when he shares the floor with Curry.
The suggestion? Bring Green off the bench for a stretch.
Not as a punishment, but as a strategic reset. The idea is to open up the floor early in games, give Curry more room to operate, and maybe even reignite Green’s rhythm by letting him anchor second-unit minutes.
It’s not about diminishing his role-it’s about recalibrating it.
And none of this would be permanent. The Warriors aren’t blowing things up.
But they are clearly searching for answers. Saturday’s win over the Suns offered a glimpse of what this team can still be when things click.
But one game isn’t a cure-all. The bigger picture remains: Golden State is trying to rediscover its identity in a Western Conference that’s deeper and more dynamic than ever.
Change, even temporary, might be the only way forward.