On Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors will make their long-awaited return to the court in the 2021-22 season opener against LeBron James and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers.
While Steph Curry and Draymond Green will anchor the Warriors until the return of Klay Thompson, the rest of Golden State’s rotation will look slightly different.
During the offseason, the Warriors added veterans Otto Porter Jr., Nemanja Bjelica and Andre Iguodala to fill their roster. Golden State also brought in a pair of top prospects, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, in the 2021 NBA draft.
With several new pieces set to play substantial roles, Warriors Wire projected how Golden State’s depth chart could shake out for the start of the 2021-22 NBA campaign.
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- Starter: Steph Curry
- First off the bench: Damion Lee
- Depth: Jordan Poole – Chris Chiozza (two-way deal)
The Warriors have no question marks when it comes to their starter at point guard. However, the backup point position is something the team will have to figure out when Curry is on the bench.
Damion Lee is the likely option. Steve Kerr trusts him, and Lee showed the ability to run the offense last season. Poole is also a candidate for minutes at point guard when he’s not serving as Curry’s partner in the backcourt.
Poole could be Golden State’s lead playmaker in the second unit when Curry needs a breather. After a red-hot end to the 2021-22 season and a fiery preseason, the Warriors will likely put the ball in Poole’s hands as much as they can.
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- Starter: Jordan Poole
- First off the bench: Damion Lee
- Depth: Moses Moody – Otto Porter Jr. – Andre Iguodala
- Injury: Klay Thompson (Achilles / Knee)
While the shooting guard position is Klay Thompson’s when he makes his long-awaited return to the floor, Poole will be alongside Curry in the backcourt to start the season.
Poole can play off Curry nicely, spacing the floor and attacking the rim when called on.
The Warriors could deploy a combination of Lee and Otto Porter Jr. off the bench for Poole. Porter Jr. will likely eat minutes at shooting guard and small forward for Golden State’s second unit.
While he develops, rookie Moses Moody will likely play limited minutes. However, if he quickly proves his ability to knock down shots from deep and play consistent defense, he could grind out a role in Kerr’s rotation.
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Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
- Starter: Andrew Wiggins
- First off the bench: Otto Porter Jr.
- Depth: Andre Iguodala
- Injury: Jonathan Kuminga (Knee)
Andrew Wiggins will take up much of the time at small forward for the Warriors, just like he did in a solid 2020-2021 campaign. Behind the former No. 1 pick, the depth chart will look different.
Porter Jr. will step in on the wing in Golden State’s second unit. Porter Jr. is a proven veteran who can consistently hit a jumper from beyond the arc. Porter Jr. will likely split time with familiar face Andre Iguodala.
Along with serving as a closer in Golden State’s rotation, Iguodala understands how to play with Curry and Draymond Green. During tight games, Kerr could opt to use Iguodala at a flurry of positions.
Once healthy, rookie Jonathan Kuminga could also get minutes at the No. 3 position. Yet, the 2021 No. 7 pick is still developing. The Warriors will likely be patient with the 19-year-old.
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- Starter: Draymond Green
- First off the bench: Juan Toscano-Anderson
- Depth: Nemanja Bjelica – Andre Iguodala
Outside of the additions of Nemanja Bjelica and Iguodala, Golden State’s power forward position could resemble the final stretch of the 2020-21 season.
Behind perennial starter Draymond Green, Kerr could opt to use Juan Toscano-Anderson off the bench in the frontcourt. Toscano-Anderson played well in a role similar to Green last season. The Oakland-native showed off his hustle and high basketball IQ as he got more minutes down the final stretch.
When Golden State opts to go with a small-ball lineup that features Green at center, Kerr could use Bjelica in the frontcourt as a floor spacer. The former Sacramento Kings forward is a productive shooter from deep, hitting 38.7% of his 3s during his career.
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Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
- Starter: Kevon Looney
- First off the bench: Nemanja Bjelica
- Depth: Draymond Green – Juan Toscano-Anderson – Andre Iguodala
- Injury: James Wiseman (Knee)
While Kevon Looney is the only true center available in the rotation to start the season, the Warriors have plenty of options to play in the middle of the frontcourt.
Green will dominate minutes at the No. 5 position in most small ball lineup situations with Toscano-Anderson and Bjelica playing around him. Golden State could even use a player such as Kuminga and Iguodala at power forward in an up-tempo lineup.
The X-factor at center is James Wiseman. The 2020 No. 2 pick will miss the start of the season as he rehabs his meniscus injury. Once he returns, the young center will play behind Looney. After starting him 27 games last season, the Warriors will likely be patient with Wiseman.
If healthy, the Warriors could give Wiseman the opportunity to play alongside Green and Curry in the starting lineup.
