Will Richard’s Role in Flux as Warriors Prepare for Backcourt Reinforcements
Will Richard has been a bright spot in a rocky start to the Golden State Warriors’ season - a second-round rookie who’s earned real minutes and even a few starts in a crowded guard rotation. But with De’Anthony Melton nearing a return from injury and Seth Curry reportedly set to rejoin the team, Richard’s early-season momentum may be facing its first real test.
The Warriors confirmed over the weekend that Melton could be back in action as soon as this week. Meanwhile, the front office is expected to finalize a deal with Curry, who was cut at the end of the preseason due to financial constraints. Both moves signal a shift in the backcourt depth chart - and potentially a shakeup in Steve Kerr’s already fluid rotation.
Richard, the 56th overall pick in June’s draft, has carved out a role that most late second-rounders only dream of. He’s played in 19 of Golden State’s first 21 games and has started seven of the last nine.
That’s not just a developmental cameo - that’s real trust from the coaching staff. But with the Warriors about to add two more proven guards to the mix, the rookie’s spot in the lineup is anything but secure.
This is where things get tricky. Melton, when healthy, is a key two-way contributor who can defend multiple positions and knock down open shots.
He’s not coming back to sit. Curry, while not the same player as his brother, brings elite shooting and veteran savvy - two things Kerr has always valued, especially in tight rotations.
So who gives?
On merit alone, Richard has a case to stay in the mix. His energy, defensive activity, and willingness to play within the system have stood out.
He’s coming off an 18-point, 6-rebound performance in a loss to Houston, and he’s looked comfortable on both ends of the floor. But that didn’t stop Kerr from pulling him out of the starting lineup the very next game - a reminder that in Golden State, roles are earned daily and nothing is guaranteed.
The reality is, someone has to sit. And while Richard has outplayed expectations, he’s still the rookie in a room full of veterans.
Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, and Gary Payton II are all rotation regulars, each with their own case to stay on the floor. Podziemski offers playmaking and rebounding from the guard spot.
Hield is a proven shooter who can space the floor. And Payton just put up a 19-point, 11-rebound game against the Pelicans - a performance that likely bought him more time in the rotation.
From a coaching standpoint, removing Richard from the rotation is less disruptive than benching a vet. Kerr has shown time and again that he’s willing to shake things up - whether it’s elevating a bench player to the starting five or pulling a starter entirely. That flexibility is part of what’s made him successful, but it also means that even strong performances don’t always lead to more minutes.
Richard’s situation is a classic example of the tension between development and winning. He’s shown he belongs, but the Warriors are trying to stabilize a season that’s been anything but smooth. That means leaning on experience, and in Kerr’s system, experience often wins out - especially when it comes in the form of players like Melton and Curry.
None of this means Richard’s story is over. Far from it.
He’s already proven he can contribute, and he’s earned the trust of the coaching staff. But with the Warriors getting healthier and deeper, the rotation is about to get even more competitive.
For Richard, the next challenge isn’t just proving he belongs - it’s finding a way to stay in the mix when the veterans return.