Why Kerr faces the toughest task yet in the Warriors' 11th season

Why Kerr faces toughest task yet in Warriors' 11th season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – As the Warriors head into the regular season, they are doing so with an NBA roster they like, one built to sprint, score and defend a lot while pushing the limits of Steve Kerr's formidable human potential skills are put to the test.

The only thing that could save the coach from a challenging season is a big change. That would probably boost talent and reduce the congestion in the current roster, which is built for movement.

As of Monday morning, there are more good players than there are spots available.

“It's better than the alternative, right?” Kerr said with a wry smile to NBC Sports Bay Area.

“But you ask the guys to take (a break). . . This is her career,” he added, becoming serious. “This is their livelihood. And there is so much at stake for each individual. The boys who aren’t allowed to play are tough on them. And I feel for them.”

Three or four Warriors spend most of their day practicing and studying video, but rarely leave the bench after tipoff. The inactivity could leave you feeling excluded as you constantly hear their names thrown around in the tide of the trading boom.

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Golden State's current roster has talent, but most of it is complementary. Draymond Green is elite at what he does, but only Stephen Curry stands out as an obvious All-Star. Kerr raves about his team's strength but laments the impact it will have on those outside the rotation and prepares for what lies ahead.

“The hardest thing for everyone this year – coaches and players – is that right now I would say we have 13 players that look like rotation players to me,” Kerr, who is entering his 11th season with Golden State, said recently Week.

The 13: Kyle Anderson, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Buddy Hield, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, De'Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Gary Payton II, Brandin Podziemski, Lindy Waters III and Andrew Wiggins.

“Thirteen guys aren't going to play, so someone has to make that difficult decision,” Green told NBC Sports Bay Area.

“I think that’s a good thing,” Kuminga said of the team’s strength. “It helps all around. From what I've seen, everyone knows how to play. Everyone is able to play.

“It will be difficult for Coach Steve to pick who will play a lot.”

Of Kerr's projects, no more than 10 can be included in Golden State's regular rotation. That number will go down if the Warriors make the playoffs.

The players who aren't considered rotation players present Kerr's biggest challenge. Tougher than keeping Green on the field or coaxing the best Wiggins or modifying Kuminga's skillset to fit him perfectly into the preferred small forward position .

The starting lineup leans toward Curry and Wiggins in the backcourt, with Kuminga, Green and Jackson-Davis up front.

The veterans acquired in the offseason – Anderson, Hield and Melton – were signed to play immediately. To support the attempt to maximize the Curry Green window as a competitor. Your minutes may vary from night to night, but you can expect significant time.

The same appears to be true for Payton, a key member of the 2022 championship team, and Podziemski, considered a future cornerstone. But the coaching staff is aware that Melton has more offensive versatility than Payton and more defensive skills than Podziemski.

That's 10 players, none of whom are named Looney, Moody or Waters. The contract extension Moody agreed to on Sunday — three years, $39 million — secures Golden State's investment in the wing, who was selected in the first round of the 2021 draft. However, it does not ensure that he will not be used as a trading chip during the season.

Moody once again seems to be a flexible guy, in the rotation some nights but out of it other nights. Kerr is open to adjusting his rotation depending on matchups, but all indications are that Moody will get the chances he deserves.

As for Looney and Waters, both were impressive in training camp and preseason. Both are ready to contribute but could be cornered by the numbers.

This brings us to the additional and potentially complicating factor of contract status. There are five players involved. Looney, Melton, Payton and Waters will be unrestricted free agents next summer. The contract extension period for Kuminga ends on Monday at 3 p.m. If the deadline passes – as multiple sources suspect – he will become a restricted free agent next summer.

All five players are itching for a nice new multi-year deal, with Golden State or elsewhere, and they all know that nothing depresses value more than sitting on the bench.

Looney, widely respected and always a voice of reason, recognizes he is vulnerable but doesn't worry. Although there was legitimate uncertainty heading into the summer of 2022, each of his trips to unrestricted free agency resulted in a return to the Warriors. This has given him a sense of belief, if not complete security.

He also believes the team's willingness to play quickly could open up opportunities throughout the team.

“It's going to be tough with so many guys, but I think Steve's used to it,” Looney told NBC Sports Bay Area. “Since he's been here he's had to juggle lineups and combine them. I think he likes that. He likes having options, being able to play different styles, in different ways, on a small scale, on a large scale, being able to slow it down or speed it up. We are at our best when we can play multiple styles and don’t have to rely on one style of play.”

The style of play could force Kerr to go deeper on his bench. His rotation could be limited to 10, but more could be needed to maintain the preferred pace. Curry and Green, both in their mid-thirties, will master their workload.

“There will be nights where Steph and Draymond are off,” Podziemski told NBC Sports Bay Area. “And I’m pretty sure our depth will be needed.”

Still, it's obvious that this squad was built for a great profession. Also ripe for one. That usually means trading several good players — and perhaps some draft capital — for an All-Star player. This possibility is a real possibility and volume is expected to increase slightly each week as the February 6th close approaches.

In the meantime, Kerr will have to manage the other end of his bench with a deft hand. He has to massage his ego, show compassion and keep everyone involved in line. The psychiatrist hat he's worn for years might be worn out by midseason.

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