Can Steve Kerr and the Warriors really continue to use a 12-man rotation?

PORTLAND, Ore. – For the past few weeks, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr knew he was in for two uncomfortable conversations before the regular season. He had 12 players he thought could be in his rotation, but assumed 10 would be the maximum on opening night in Portland. He was willing to tell two players — some combination of Moses Moody, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II or Kyle Anderson — that they wouldn't get guaranteed minutes.

But the preseason didn't bring much clarity or separation. Everyone Kerr threw to the floor, including Lindy Waters III, his current 13th man, performed well, the team remained undefeated and no one suffered an injury. When the decision came Tuesday to cut the rotation, Kerr chose a different path.

“I couldn’t justify (telling someone they were out of the rotation),” Kerr said. “They all played really well.”

That's why Kerr used a 12-man rotation against the Portland Trail Blazers. He founded Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis. He brought Buddy Hield, Payton, Looney, Brandin Podziemski, De'Anthony Melton and Anderson off the bench in the first quarter. He opened the second quarter with Moody, the 12th man, entering the game within 13 minutes.

“I’ve never played 12 before,” Kerr said. “But we will do it. It’s not easy for anyone, but we just have to trust from one evening to the next that we can find the combination that works.”

The Warriors were provided a soft landing area to try it out. Most expected the Blazers to finish last in the Western Conference, and that's what it looked like. The Warriors played big and started slow, losing 12-3, but the game quickly turned around. The Warriors won the middle quarter by 27 points, even led by 37 points and won a clear 139-104 victory to open the season.

Steve Kerr said he will push the Warriors forward with a 12-man rotation. I thought he would cut it to 10, but said yesterday that he had decided it would be 12. Couldn't “justify” taking anyone out. pic.twitter.com/tl831664pB

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 24, 2024

With a storm like Wednesday, there are plenty of minutes that can be distributed. Curry played just 25, had one rebound shy of a triple-double and sat the entire fourth down. Green played just 20, beat the Blazers with a stellar defensive performance to open the second half and then also sat out for the night. All 12 rotation players received at least 14 minutes. In the plus/minus category, everyone was positive.

“We’ll figure out (whether it’s sustainable),” Curry said. “It’s the identity of this team right now. We can rely on our depth and our versatility depending on what the game requires. I’m sure there will be a slight reduction in rotation at some point depending on how things develop, but we don’t have to worry about that at the moment.”

Injuries will inevitably hamper Kerr's wide range of options and simplify his decisions. For example, Green took a knee with Toumani Camara, got a compression sleeve on his left leg after the game and limped out of the locker room. He indicated he would be fine, but bruises and failures piled up during the 82-game marathon. Then this depth should benefit the most.

But in the meantime, during games where Kerr will be available to everyone, two challenges will arise – one for the coaches to solve the nightly puzzle and one for the players to accept those decisions.

“The guys have to understand that some nights are their nights,” Kerr said. “Some aren’t.”

With more competition in closer games, Kerr will need to quickly figure out which players and lineup combinations make sense and rearrange the rotation accordingly.

The starting lineup played 11 minutes against the Blazers and had a combined minus-2, one of the few shakier groups. Kerr takes the larger approach to getting Kuminga and Wiggins on the floor together while also allowing Green to not start at center. However, this is related to spacing issues that could come into the spotlight if the performance is subpar compared to the various other combinations available.

“I’m looking to see if this group can set the tone defensively,” Kerr said. “We have to play offensively, play downhill and play fast.”

Every player has something at stake, but Kuminga's bets are the easiest to spot. Since he did not agree to an extension this week, he enters a contract season in which his financial future is still uncertain. In order to secure what he wants, the options in court must be there. Although he started in the opening game, he only played 17 minutes. He had two tackles and three fouls in the first half, limiting his playing time.

Kuminga was asked about the fact that his extension was not carried out in the dressing room after the game.

“I’m not really worried about it,” he said The athlete. “It just worries me that I come here and perform every other day. I don't really think about that. The time came and nothing happened. So I'm not really worried about it anymore. I can just be myself and not think about it. I've been through so much. A lot of people don't know me and don't know what I've been through. There aren’t too many things that can break me.”

Moody, who signed a team-friendly extension before the deadline, was the 12th man to see the field but made sure to make good shots on his shots when he finally got in. Moody made 5 of 11 in 15 minutes and made three of the Warriors' 20 3s. As promised, the Warriors moved quickly and maintained a high volume of 3 (48 attempts).

Hield was the brightest spot of the night. He scored 22 points in just 15 minutes off the bench, made five of his seven three-pointers and grabbed five rebounds. Curry, who spent much of the fourth quarter with Hield on the bench, praised him after the game.

“He loves playing basketball. Loves to mature. Loves being in the gym. “I have a great personality,” Curry said before looking at Hield across the locker room. “Oh my God. I'm just paying you a compliment.”

Steph Curry on Buddy Hield: “Without Klay, you had to shoot. We had to shoot anyway.” pic.twitter.com/8p7GbHrIsq

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 24, 2024

The real challenge will come when disaster inevitably strikes. What do players think when their minutes are less than expected in a loss, when their role diminishes during a losing streak? But the early signs were positive.

“It’s a beautiful locker room,” Curry said. “We have people who enjoy being here and enjoy playing the way we do. The coach explained the situation we all find ourselves in pretty well. You have to commit. No agenda, no egos. Well, healthy egos. When you're out there, you know you're meant to be out there. But if it's not your night, you can't bring the team down with your energy. I didn’t see any warning signs of that, which is great.”

(Photo by Jonathan Kuminga: Stephen Brashear / Imagn Images)