Remember the Golden State Warriors just a couple of weeks back? Yes, the difference is visible. Let no one make you believe that the Jimmy Butler Effect isn’t real. You see, the Warriors just won their 29th game of the season against the Sacramento Kings on Friday. This was their fourth win out of the five games since Butler’s arrival. Well, do you see how a new player has shifted the air for Steve Kerr’s squad? The lost confidence is back and the spark to fight for more is ignited. Youngsters like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody are holding the reins, easing Stephen Curry’s pressure.

Therefore, the head coach has some plans at might bolster the team’s ambitions for the rest of the season. Following their much-needed 132-106 blowout win vs. the Kings at Golden 1 Center, Steve Kerr spoke to the media. The post-game presser was enough to understand what tricks the 59-year-old legend is keeping up his sleeves.

Besides, Jonathan Kuminga has yet to make a comeback in the lineup for Coach Kerr. Moreover, what position will JK hold once he returns, as the team is working up a fresh starting lineup that is working out for them?

Steve Kerr sets his records straight for Jonathan Kuminga’s position in the lineup

The team has promoted both Podz and Moody to the starting five. This means Buddy Hield and Kuminga (whenever he returns) will come off the bench. For the game vs. the Kings, Hield did come off the bench and hit five threes and punched in 22 points in the Warriors’ colossal win. But for JK, what does Steve Kerr have in his mega mind?

One of the reporters in the crowd asked the head coach: “Do you envision this starting unit staying intact once Kuminga comes back?” Like anyone, the reporter too wanted to know from Kerr if Moody would remain in the starting lineup after his injured 22-year-old forward Kuminga comes back from injury. Steve Kerr was clear about what he was expecting from Moses and his position on the team now. But he was also clear about JK’s position for the rest of the season.

“You know, JK was coming off the bench before he got injured and playing really well. He was playing 30-plus minutes, but we had that rotation before he got hurt. We’re obviously playing well right now, hopefully that continues,” Steve Kerr clarified.

The Golden State Warriors came to the court with a relatively healthy squad on Friday, especially after coming out of the All-Star break. Only Yuri Collins appeared on the injury report, but only due to his G-League assignment. But the main talk of the town has been Jonathan Kuminga. He has missed the last 21 games due to a right ankle sprain he had playing against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kuminga rejoined team practice for the first time since his injury but didn’t join his teammates on the court vs. Zach LaVine & Co. He was the lone rotational player missing between the two teams in this matchup. And amidst all the doubts about his future, Jonathan Kuminga seems to remain Steve Kerr’s beacon of hope despite the injuries. Well, there have been a myriad of conversations about whether the Dubs should trade Kuminga away or not, but it is likely to be silenced for a while.

Moreover, the youngster, Podziemski, is also doing a brilliant job in his new role. And so, Coach Kerr has some more plans for him and Buddy Hield.

Warriors HC drops an important message for his two bright stars

Steve Kerr is happy with how his team has regained their confidence after days of painful losses and criticisms. With a 29-27 record and the ninth seed in the West, the Warriors are finding their rhythm. The rotation shift—Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody starting while Buddy Hield comes off the bench—is working like magic.

Thus, Kerr noted: “Buddy’s always going to play a big role for us with his shooting. So, I just think it feels right to bring him off the bench as the sixth man to start BP for his playmaking and the connection that he brings to the game.” Buddy Hield dropped 22 points (8-11 FG, 5-8 3Pt) in 26 minutes during the Warriors’ 132-108 win over Sacramento. After a quiet two-point game following his move to the bench for Podziemski, he bounced back in style, draining shots from deep and leading the charge. With his perimeter game clicking, the Warriors gladly leaned on his hot hand to seal a dominant victory.

“I I just think it feels right to to bring him off the bench as a six-man and to to start BP for his playmaking and the connection that he brings to the game And I imagine we’ll stay with this lineup…” Kerr continued. “…I hope so because we’ve had a million different starting lineups this year. It’d be really nice to stick with this for the rest of the season and keep building continuity with our lineups.” Truly, the Dubs tried out too many mixes for their starting five this season. Some worked out for them while others didn’t.

Steve Kerr even brought Draymond Green off the bench in one of the games to see if it worked. But now it looks like the HC has finally found his magic recipe for winning games.

For now, it’s only a matter of time before Jonathan Kuminga comes back into the rotation for the Golden State Warriors. He’ll start from the bench for Steve Kerr, while Podz and Moody bring energy to the starting five. Buddy Hield, with his sharpshooting experience, will also come off the bench to fuel the Warriors’ chase for wins. This final lap of the 2024-25 season is crucial with the playoffs and finals on the line. Can they bounce back in time to write history? Well, we’ll know soon.