Draymond Green Reacts to Getting Benched for Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has Draymond Green set to move to bench in favor of Jonathan Kuminga.

Jan 15, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) walk to the bench at the end of the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors fell 107-90 to the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night on the second leg of their back-to-back. Despite welcoming back Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to the rotation, Golden State's offense couldn't convert while Anthony Edwards took over for Minnesota.

While Curry and Green returned, only Curry was reinserted into the starting lineup as head coach Steve Kerr said pre-game that he wanted to ease back Green following his calf injury and ride the hot hand of Jonathan Kuminga, who had 33 points the game prior. However, an announcement after the game informed fans that there would be changes going forward.

Draymond Green on his move to the bench to elevate Jonathan Kuminga

“A lot of people in this organization including myself think he is next. So if he is next, at some point we gotta see it.” pic.twitter.com/C229PUoD49

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 7, 2024

While it may have appeared as a one-game move, coach Kerr announced that going forward, Green will move to the bench in order for the team to best optimize Kuminga in the starting lineup.

When asked about it in his post-game press conference, Green said he told Kerr he had no problem with the move. He went on to say, "A lot of people in this organization including myself think he is next. So if he is next, at some point we gotta see it.”

Draymond Green on his move to the bench to elevate Jonathan Kuminga

“A lot of people in this organization including myself think he is next. So if he is next, at some point we gotta see it.” pic.twitter.com/C229PUoD49

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 7, 2024

Part of a draft class for Golden State that featured two lottery selections, the Warriors opted to take Kuminga from the G League Ignite over a college prospect like Franz Wagner, who went a pick later. While fans might be upset about the selection given the All-Star level Wagner has played at this season, the franchise wants to put Kuminga in the best position possible to prove his worth in his upcoming contract negotiations.

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