The Warriors have a specific lineup issue that’s impacting both this year’s outlook and the future prospects of the team, writes Tim Kawakami of The Athletic. Golden State has to determine whether Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga — the team’s two most athletic players, in Kawakami’s view — can share the court together, especially with the trade deadline looming.
Kawakami writes that if Wiggins and Kuminga figure out how to play with one another, it would unlock the Warriors’ offense due to the fact that the two forwards make Golden State faster and more athletic. So far, that pairing hasn’t had much success.
In 106 minutes together on the floor this year, the duo has a minus-21.4 net rating, the worst on the team (of lineups that play often) by a large margin. They also have the worst defensive rating and rebound percentage among those lineups.
“It’s something we will try with maybe some new people around them,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “Their numbers are not good together, frankly. They’re very redundant. So the tape and the numbers haven’t been great.”
While this lineup wrinkle is just one question for a roster full of them, it has major implications. If the pair doesn’t figure things out, Kawakami writes the Warriors will likely have to choose between them, especially with Kuminga due for an extension on the horizon. If they do end up working well together, however, it could phase out minutes for Golden State’s other veteran pieces.
Kawakami also writes that while the Warriors previously may have been reluctant to move Wiggins in a trade after he signed a bargain contract specifically to stay with the team, he hears that may no longer be the case.
We have more from around the Pacific Division:
- The Warriors are keeping quiet on the timetable for Draymond Green‘s return from his indefinite suspension, writes Jon Schultz of the San Francisco Chronicle. “The Draymond stuff, everything is just private,” Kerr said. “That’s behind the scenes and I really don’t have anything to comment on that front.“
- The Lakers switched up their starting lineup on Saturday, replacing D’Angelo Russell with Jarred Vanderbilt in an effort to augment the defense. However, that hasn’t worked out just yet, with the new starting lineup posting a 125.0 defensive rating in their 18 minutes together, The Orange County Register’s Khobi Price writes. “We’ve just gotta buckle down defensively,” Anthony Davis said. “We’re not really a switching team but now we’re getting to it because of our lineup. We’re able to do that. Miscommunication is kind of there. Offensively, we can be fine. But we have to do a better job on defense.“
- The Clippers acquired Daniel Theis to help address their frontcourt when Mason Plumlee went down with an MCL sprain in November. As Plumlee approaches his return to play, the Clippers haven’t yet determined how they’ll balance Theis and Plumlee when both are healthy, tweets Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times.
They can’t shoot consistently Wiggins/Kuminga Combo
2 B fair Wiggins has mostly shot like trash in almost every game this season from range, and Kuminga had a bit of a cold stretch in the middle. I do remember them closing a game with Kuminga Green Curry Klay Wiggins that looked pretty good.
Big decisions coming for Warriors after the season. Who will be traded for future draft picks to open up time on the floor.
You think anything happens at the trade deadline?
Something may happen since they have too many guys for so few minutes.
Curry Wiggins Kuminga Looney should start.
The 5th starter could be GPII.
Curry Wiggins Kuminga GP II Looney is a hell of a defensive team. Pushes the switch from old, unathletic team, to a dynamic, above the rim presence. Curry has the Freedom to create and allows more pick and roll oportunities
When lacking ballhandling and offensive creation, sub one not named curry with CP3.
Then
CP3 Klay Podziemski Draymond (if/whenever allowed to play) Jackson-Davis, is a very capable second unit.
Without Big men and without athleticism, they can’t aspire to a playoff run
Who’s Curry going to pick and roll with in that lineup? Won’t work because Looney is not a pick and roll player and whoever’s guarding Wiggins or Kuminga is athletic enough to get out on both guys in the pic situation. Your basketball breakdown and analysis quite honestly doesn’t work.
Ah yes who could forget all the years Curry has been dominating in P&R with Draymond, Looney, Zaza, Bogut, Cousins…
Oh wait
Yes big men. That’s how pick and roll works. Not Kuminga Wiggins GP11 and Looney which is the lineup the guy mentioned above. Reading is fundamental… Oh wait.
Real2K, your inaccuracy deserves two comments. Curry is not a pick and roll player and never has been. Try watching a few Warrior games of the last 10 years.
Are you really certain you know what a pick and roll is? When someone sets a pic for curry that’s not a pick and roll.
When Draymond Green sets his top of the key pic for curry he never rolls. He actually stays in the area to set up a second pick lol.
Ya know, It’s the folks that criticize others yet have no clue on what’s going on in the NBA that’s a real laugher.
Let me see if I can come up with a third reply to your atrocious critique. Probably take just a minute or two. I might get distracted because I’m watching…, wait for it…, the Warrior game LOL
Haha, you seem a little nervous, bro. The reality Is your team, doesn’t get it done, as with your current lineup.
Haven’t you seem Lamar Odom in the Lakers? He played pick AND roll, and lots of other Situations, and was amazing in the playoffs with LAL. Kuminga could develop into that kind of guy, has all the Athletic tools AND Is 6’11
A big Center could be really useful, also. Warriors need More size, strength, toughness AND rim protection down low. Valanciunas would di wonders for them, though I don’t know if they can aim for the Finals. But ir would be much better than Now.
The NBA Is shifting away from small ball. You can’t win now without a C.
In my nervousness I was simply addressing the person’s starting lineup and his Curry pick and rolls.
Chris Paul does the pick and rolls with the second unit.
Sure glad Jonathan kuaminga is 6-11 by the way. Thanks for that stunning development.
Everything’s great, have a nice day.
Its painful watching CP3 in warriors offense. He slows the team down so much. Kerr got out coached by the Heat.
But you’re right they need some kind of help. They sure shouldn’t lose at home to Miami minus Lowry and Butler two starters. But oh well we’ll see how it goes.
Definitely evident that the Miami height did the Warriors in last night. Golden State needs a center to combat that next time they play the Heat.
At least a traditional matchup Center, to enter the Game when opposing bigs that impact down low are playing.
Curry is still at a high level. Historically skilled. He doesn’t need athleticism to dominate. You can’t count him out in the playoffs. But they need at least a true Center, and also an aggresive slasher to create more shots for the perímeter.
Wiggins can do that, but he’s not aggresive.
Yes agreed on that.
Looney took a huge step back this year. I hate watching CP3 play on this team he doesn’t fit the team at all. Let’s face it Curry is not the same player out there without getting screens from Green. He is double teamed all game long and nobody setting screens.
I was under the impression the the W’s were “light years” ahead of the rest of the league. Surprising they can’t figure this out ;)
One big mistake and you fall behind…
They made many of them… Draymond, CP3, etc etc…
According to the NBA experts and fans at this site their dynasty is done and they will not make the playoffs.
Their dynasty is done. You have to be nuts to think this Warriors team has another title in them
amk, it’s the team that stays healthy that endures through the playoffs. I wouldn’t count this group out just yet.
Every year is supposed to be their last. If they get the 4th or 5th seed they can go far in the playoffs. Its just about staying healthy.
Tony, anyone else won four championships lately?
Store bought, Gary…
Tony, what? Lol.
What, what?
W’s went “light years” beyond the Cap (and far more than double most team payrolls) to signs the likes of Durant and others. It makes the 2023 Dodgers look like they have light pockets…
Since when is building a team using your financial resources a bad thing ? I think the Warriors are able to do so because the owners have other businesses from which to draw upon to finance their lifestyles.
Some of the other owners the NBA team is their only income so they can’t pour all the profits back into the payroll and the roster.
News flash. Better players cost more.
And you know what, thinking about it further these are homegrown guys the Warriors have as their core. So your premise is absolute nonsense.
It’s not a bad thing but it is what it is – store bought championships. There was no “light years” genius methodology to roster construction. Target and buy. The W’s would be doing great this very day if they could have successfully bought Giannis (which was the “say it into existence” dream of Warrior fans and Bay Area media, not long ago)…
So Tony when Kevin Durant wants to play on a ball movement team and increase his chances of winning and ask the Warriors about signing there, they should say NO because he’s too good and makes too much money so they shouldn’t sign him because it wouldn’t be fair to the other teams in the league?
Your reasoning and argument and premise are all 100% rubbish.
;)
4 rings and a dynasty says they were ahead of the others. Curry and dubs changed the way the game is played. what else do you want?
They paid more than twice as much as any other team, and more than double the Cal, to sign the likes of Durant. Titles are store bought…
My comment was sarcastic ;)
Considering the big ownership/executive egos does anyone feel badly for them?
What the W’s truly miss is Dray’s passing – masterful, while Looney/Kuminga/Wiggins are near zeros in this area.
Oh, and Dray could be the poster-player for juicing – considering his frequent roid rages and chiseled build at his advanced age. The NBA ignores it mostly – Google “George Karl steroids” for the candid article where he was certain many open his roster were doping…
To make it easy, here’s a short Karl quote from a long story about NBA doping:
“I’m talking about performance-enhancing drugs—like steroids, human growth hormone, and so on. It’s obvious some of our players are doping. How are some guys getting older—yet thinner and fitter? How are they recovering from injuries so fast? Why the hell are they going to Germany in the off-season? I doubt it’s for the sauerkraut.”
George Karl speaks as an Insider so I don’t doubt this at all. You have to wonder who he’s talking about when saying.., as guys get older? Several guys probably? Draymond Green? I could see that.
So NBA guys aren’t tested for steroids or performance enhancing drugs?
Dynasty is done ….. 1st round playoff exit.
Didn’t they just beat the Celtics last week? One of the best teams in the east? It’s not over.
bookmarked.
GSWs biggest mistake of recent has to be resigning Draymond. 4 years 100mil fully guaranteed at 32 years old after he proved he couldn’t do anything without Curry and Klay. He hasn’t average me double digit points in 5 seasons. He’s regressed as a shooter, the steal numbers are down, the FT numbers have be been good and now he’s shown his true colours when it comes to sportsmanship and respect to his competition.
Klay is on an expiring deal, Wiggins at 25mil is fine, Chris Paul’s deal isn’t guaranteed, and with Steph you’re always going to have some chance.
They are just in major need of a retooling.
I’d try for
Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga for PJ Tucker, Terrance Mann, Amir Coffey and Daniel Theis
Then finish out the year
Curry Klay Wiggins Tucker Looney
CP3 GP2/Podzi Mann TJD/Saric Theis
Tucker does 80% of what Draymond does with no playmaking, you get out of Drays deal and get Terrance Mann at the expense of Jonothan Kuminga. Personally I like Mann more, he’s more of a basketball player and less of an athlete. He can play 1-3 and at a stretch 4, he can shoot, handle, defend and makes the right play.
Coffey is there just for cap matching and Theis helps fill the centre spot with Looney.
What it really does it sets you up for the offseason, in which you let Klay, CP3 and Tucker leave (85 mil combined salary). Already you have GP2 Mann and Podzi ready to step up and replace them.
Which allows you fill out the holes with the cap space you’ve created. Id swap out Theis (expiring) for Jonas Valaucanes. Who gives you more size and toughness. On top of that maybe get an impact guy off the bench like Kelly Oubre.
Then obviously you’ve now got a hole at PF, and I think Tobias Harris is the perfect fit. Excellent shooter, can play as the second, third or fourth option on offence. Good enough defensively and does enough on the boards.
Curry Mann Wiggins Harris Valaucanes
GP2 Podzi Oubre TJD/Saric Looney
Jonas V – 2 years 30mil
Kelly O – 1 year 10mil
Tobias H – 3 years 75mil (p/o last year)
Clippers would be solid too
Harden PG13 Kawhi Green Zubac
Russ Bones Powell Kuminga Plumblee
Plus 2 open roster spots to fill
I’d grab Stanley Johnson, another nice 3 and D wing and then Serge Ibaka, an experienced stretch 4/5. Won a chip with Kawhi in Toronto and played with both Russ and Harden at OKC.
Defensively you’ve got PG Kawhi and Green, with Zubac block shots at the rim. Offensively Green gives you another high IQ ball handler/facilitator if you need it otherwise you’re going to be tough with Harden PG and Kawhi regardless. Russ provides impact as does Bones and Powell. Kuminga would be interesting but good depth for the eventual injuries
yes! trade a team in your division all your leftover crap! very realistic
Trade Paul and Santos for something!!!!
Wiggins can play the 2. Just Warriors have never used him there. He’s always been more a 3 and a two way force for Warriors. Where in Minny he was more just a scorer. Kuminga should just be backing him up. That’s how you get the most out of them.
Warriors can probably get value for CP3 at TD. There are teams that could need or want him (injuries). For playoff run. They add the right player and stay healthy. They can make noise in playoffs.