The Warriors’ rotation has been erratic in the first half of the 2025-26 NBA season, and a 13-14 record only brings more questions to how coach Steve Kerr is using his players.
Draymond Green was back in Golden State’s starting lineup for its 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday after a foot injury/excused absence, but his return was overshadowed by Stephen Curry’s historic 48-point performance. Will Richard, Jonathan Kuminga, and Seth Curry did not see any action on the court.
It was Richard’s second consecutive game without any minutes, and Kerr on Tuesday explained his decision to keep the rookie guard out of the rotation on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” show.
“Right now, frankly, he’s sitting because he’s a rookie and I’m honoring what the older guys have done over the years,” Kerr said. “I think that’s good for chemistry, I think this is kind of how it goes.”
The 22-year-old has averaged 8.0 points per game in 23 of 27 contests played so far and brings a youthful burst of energy to an otherwise aging core.
“It’s been tough not playing him because I’m a huge fan and a believer,” Kerr said. “He offers us stability and decision-making, good shooting, so he’s just got to stay with it.”
Kerr emphasized relying on veteran expertise now that the team has fallen below .500 and acknowledged that Richard has what it takes to be a starter possibly later in the season.
“Guys have to earn their stripes,” he noted. “You give everybody a fair look, and you continue on through the season so he could very easily find himself back in the rotation. He’s obviously a good-enough player.”
Kerr mentioned how he relayed that to Richard during Wednesday’s press conference at Chase Center.
“The great thing with Will is he gets it. I went to him last week, told him, I’m going to take him out of the rotation because we’re getting healthy, and I want to play my vets and give everybody you know a look.”
Steve Kerr on Will Richard. pic.twitter.com/skHygH2XZL
— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) December 17, 2025
Richard started four of the five games Curry missed with a quad injury and averaged 5.2 points in 22.0 minutes per game in that span. Since Curry returned to action on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kerr reiterated he only can shape so many lineup combinations around the 37-year-old star point guard.
“There are times where you can only play 10 or 11, three or four guys are out of the loop, right now it’s Jonathan, it’s Will, Gary Payton’s barely played the last couple games,” Kerr concluded.
The Warriors are set to face the Phoenix Suns twice in three days starting Thursday night at Chase Center. Yet, the question looms whether Kerr will have the same players start for each matchup.
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