Steve Kerr is tinkering again. If you’ve watched this team for more than a week, you know the drill. The days of the "Hamptons Five" and a set-in-stone lineup are long gone, replaced by a nightly math problem that honestly feels like it changes every time the bus pulls up to a new arena. Getting a handle on the starters for Golden State Warriors games isn't just about reading a depth chart; it’s about understanding a coaching philosophy that values "flow" over fixed roles.
The reality? This isn't your older brother's Warriors team. It’s a roster caught between the twilight of a dynasty and a frantic search for a secondary scoring punch.
The Steph Curry Constant
Let’s not overcomplicate the obvious: Stephen Curry starts. He’s the sun that the entire Bay Area solar system orbits around. Even at this stage of his career, his gravity remains the most potent weapon in basketball. When people search for the starters for Golden State Warriors, they’re really asking who is being tasked with helping Steph carry the load.
Last season and moving into this current stretch, the backcourt pairing has been the biggest point of contention. For a decade, it was Klay Thompson. That’s over. Now, we see a revolving door. Brandin Podziemski has been the guy Kerr trusts to do the "dirty work"—rebounding, taking charges, and moving the ball. He’s basically a coach's dream in a 21-year-old’s body. But then you have Buddy Hield. While Hield often thrives as a sixth man, there are nights where his shooting gravity is needed right from the jump to prevent defenses from triple-teaming Steph.
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It’s a weird dynamic. You’ve got a legend in Curry and a bunch of "maybe" options next to him.
The Draymond Green Dilemma and the Frontcourt
Draymond Green is the other locked-in starter, assuming he’s on the floor and not dealing with league mandates. His role as the defensive hub hasn't changed, but who stands next to him has.
For a while, the Kevon Looney and Draymond pairing was the gold standard for Dubs defense. It was rugged. It worked. But in 2026, the NBA is too fast for two non-shooters to clog the paint together for 30 minutes. That’s why Trayce Jackson-Davis has become so vital. He brings a verticality—rim running and lob threats—that Looney just doesn't provide at this stage.
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- Trayce Jackson-Davis: Usually starts at the five when the Warriors want to set an athletic tone early.
- Jonathan Kuminga: This is the wildcard. Is he a starter? Is he a bench spark? Kerr has moved him in and out of the starters for Golden State Warriors more times than fans can count. Kuminga wants the ball. He wants to attack. Sometimes that fits with Steph; sometimes it bottlenecks the offense.
- Andrew Wiggins: The "Maple Jordan" version of Wiggins from the 2022 title run feels like a lifetime ago, yet he remains the team's best point-of-attack defender. If Wiggins isn't starting, the Warriors' perimeter defense usually falls apart.
Why the Lineup Changes Every Two Weeks
Kerr is obsessed with "two-way" players. If you can’t defend, you won't start. If you can’t pass in the motion offense, you won't start.
The Warriors are currently middle-of-the-pack in offensive rating, which is a scary place to be when you have the greatest shooter ever. This leads to desperation moves. One night, you'll see a "jumbo" lineup with Wiggins, Kuminga, and Draymond to bully smaller teams. The next night, Kerr goes "small ball" with Moses Moody or De'Anthony Melton (when healthy) to find more spacing.
It’s actually kinda frustrating for fantasy owners and bettors. You check the injury report an hour before tip-off and see a completely new configuration. But there’s a method to the madness. The Warriors aren't talented enough anymore to just "out-talent" people. They have to "out-scheme" them. That starts with matching up their first five against the opponent's specific threats.
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The Transition Period: Podziemski vs. The Field
Brandin Podziemski is the name you need to watch. He’s the bridge. The coaching staff loves his "process." He doesn't turn the ball over much, and he’s a pest on the glass. When he’s in the starters for Golden State Warriors rotation, the ball moves better.
However, the lack of a true secondary "star" means the starting unit often struggles to score if Steph is having an off night (rare as that is). This is why the Kuminga conversation never dies. Kuminga is the only one on the roster, besides Curry, who can consistently get to the rim and generate his own shot. If he’s on the bench, the starters can look a bit... stagnant.
What to Expect Moving Forward
Don't expect a permanent lineup. That’s the expert takeaway here. The Warriors are in a "meritocracy" phase.
If Wiggins is aggressive, he stays. If TJD is getting beat on the boards, Looney gets the nod. The only names written in Sharpie are Curry and Green. Everyone else is written in pencil. This volatility is a feature, not a bug, of the current Warriors' era. They are searching for a combination that recaptures the old magic, even if the ingredients are different.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Check the "First 6 Minutes": Pay attention to the plus-minus of the starting unit in the first quarter. Kerr is quick to pull the trigger on changes if the starting group is -5 or worse early on.
- Watch the Wiggins/Kuminga Minutes: Their overlap is the key to the season. If they can figure out how to play together as starters without cramping the floor, the Warriors become a top-4 seed contender.
- Follow the Beat Reporters: Because the starters for Golden State Warriors change so frequently, guys like Anthony Slater or Marcus Thompson II usually get the "vibes" of the lineup changes about 24 hours before they happen based on practice rotations.
- Don't ignore the defensive matchups: Against teams with elite bigs like Jokic or Embiid, expect Draymond to shift to the 4 and a traditional center to start. Against guard-heavy teams like Phoenix, expect a smaller, switchable lineup.
The "Strength in Numbers" slogan has evolved. It used to mean a deep bench. Now, it means having ten different guys who might start on any given Tuesday. It's chaotic, it's unpredictable, but as long as #30 is in the mix, it's always must-watch TV.