Warriors’ Roster Shake-Up Ignites Competition on the Court
The Golden State Warriors have faced a challenging start to their season. With only 21 games played, the team has often relied on a limited roster, creating a wealth of opportunities for players to step up. However, that dynamic is on the verge of transformation.
New Additions to the Roster
Seth Curry is set to join the Warriors, adding depth and versatility to the lineup. Additionally, De’Anthony Melton is poised to make his season debut during an upcoming three-game road trip beginning Thursday. Fans can also anticipate the return of Steph Curry during this stretch, while veteran Al Horford is expected to come back to the fold eventually.
With these players back in the mix, the Warriors could field a competitive roster of 13 players vying for consistent playing time. However, head coach Steve Kerr will face a tough decision, as he will not deploy all 13 players in every game.
Projected Minutes Distribution
Here’s a breakdown of how minutes might be allocated when everyone is healthy. Spoiler alert: two veterans currently struggling may not find themselves in the rotation at all.
Starters’ Lineup for the Opening Minutes
The starting lineup for the first five minutes of the first and third quarters is projected to include:
Steph Curry
De’Anthony Melton
Moses Moody
Jimmy Butler
Draymond Green
While Melton may not start in his first game back, he stands a strong chance to claim a starting role as he finds his rhythm. Given the Warriors’ struggles defending against opposing guards, Melton’s presence could be pivotal in shoring up their defense.
Substitutions for the Following Minutes
The lineup for the next four minutes will feature:
Steph Curry
Gary Payton II
Richard
Jonathan Kuminga
Draymond Green
On paper, this group might seem offensively challenged. Yet, according to metrics from Cleaning the Glass, this trio alongside Steph has produced impressive efficiency numbers, ranking in the 84th percentile this season.
Lineup for the Final Minutes of the First and Third Quarters
For the last three minutes of the first and third quarters, the Warriors may roll out:
Podz
Seth Curry
Richard
Jimmy Butler
Post
This configuration has yet to be tested on the court but shows promise. A similar lineup, substituting Buddy Hield for Seth, showcased a staggering 97th percentile offensive rating, based on a small sample size.
Mid-Quarter Strategies
In the first four minutes of the second and fourth quarters, the expected lineup is:
Podz
Moses Moody
Jimmy Butler
Jonathan Kuminga
Post
Though this combination has never seen action together, the defensive capabilities of Butler, Kuminga, and Moody could compensate for their offensive struggles.
Reinforcements Return
As play resumes, the next four minutes will see:
Steph Curry
De’Anthony Melton
Podz
Jonathan Kuminga
Draymond Green
This trio—Steph, Melton, and Green—has established a remarkable synergy in the past, boasting a plus-39.2 net rating last season.
Closing Lineup
To finish the second and fourth quarters, the Warriors will likely revert to the starting lineup:
Steph Curry
De’Anthony Melton
Moses Moody
Jimmy Butler
Draymond Green
While this lineup provides a strong finish, expect Kerr to adopt a flexible approach based on player performance, meaning Melton or Moody could be swapped out for other options.
Final Minutes Distribution Projection
Based on this anticipated structure, minutes could be distributed as follows:
Steph: 34
Draymond Green: 34
Jimmy Butler: 32
Moses Moody: 26
De’Anthony Melton: 26
Jonathan Kuminga: 24
Podz: 22
Post: 14
Richard: 14
Gary Payton II: 8
Seth Curry: 6
Considerations and Challenges Ahead
One major flaw in this hypothetical minutes distribution is that Draymond would log all 34 minutes at center—an approach that risks overexertion. Furthermore, it’s improbable that Al Horford would not see any playing time when healthy. Adjustments will need to be made, potentially at the expense of players who have earned their minutes.
As the season progresses, injuries will likely dictate the rotation more than strategic planning. For now, Seth Curry is forecasted to receive limited playing time, with Melton likely taking precedence in the lineup.
However, as Melton rounds into form, he may require significant minutes, which could push Seth, Hield, or Horford to the sidelines. It’s anticipated that the coaching staff will limit the time Seth and Steph share the floor, opting instead to have Seth play most of his minutes alongside Butler. Their complementary skills should create effective scoring opportunities.
With Melton’s defensive prowess alleviating some burden from Steph and allowing him to focus on offensive production, the Warriors are gearing up for an exciting phase of the season.
