Warriors’ 2023-24 Season: Kerr Faces Complex Lineup Decisions
As the Golden State Warriors gear up for the 2023-24 season, head coach Steve Kerr is tasked with the complex job of piecing together a consistent starting lineup. Last season's strategic shifts saw the team utilizing 27 different starting lineups, reflecting a continuous search for the optimal combination.
Standing out this year is the absence of a clear-cut shooting guard, a position previously held dependably by Klay Thompson. With Thompson's availability uncertain and his once frequent three-point attempts—a range of eight to ten per game—no longer a solid fixture, Kerr must turn every training camp day into a strategic evaluation session.
More intriguing, perhaps, is the healthy competition permeating through the ranks. "The starting lineup is going to have to be dependent not only on the first five fitting, but the second fitting as well," Kerr explained. "We've got a lot of work to do to figure out lineups. All the guys can do is compete, play their ass off."
Indeed, the competition is fierce. For instance, the center position has become a battleground with Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis pushing each other hard. Additionally, while Draymond Green’s position appears secure, Kyle Anderson presents an interesting option for small-ball center duties.
Another area to watch is the frontcourt, where Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins are vying for a spot. Such contests will be crucial as the Warriors aim to balance their lineup. "There is competition across the board," Kerr emphasized. "It's not as simple as, 'Who is going to be the 2?' It's got to be—'Who is going to be the 5? Who's the 4?' We know that Steph is the 1. But what's the combination?"
One thing that remains unchanged is Stephen Curry’s settled status as the team’s point guard. As the keystone of the Warriors' offensive strategies, Curry continues to assure his pivotal role. Speaking on the impending synergy with new combinations, Curry noted, "You've got a guy who's a connector and can put the ball on the floor, create like BP, and obviously me and BP started a couple times last year. You've got Buddy who can shoot, who spaces the floor, and is a veteran. We've got a lot of options."
The ongoing positional battles and lineup uncertainties serve a broader strategic vision for Kerr. The Warriors were the fourth-best in the league last season for three-point attempts, a statistic they’re seeking to bolster this year. "I want Wigs shooting six, seven 3s. I want Brandin, I want Moses, I want De'Anthony—I want to be a high volume shooting team," Kerr declared.
This dynamic evolution in player roles ties into the broader narrative of the team’s renewal. "This feels like a new beginning for us," Kerr observed. "Whereas last year felt like an extension of who we already were. It gives us a chance to reinvent ourselves a little bit."
The absence of a settled lineup might seem challenging, but for Kerr, it’s a scenario ripe with opportunity. "It's easier when you know your starting five and you know your first four guys off of the bench. Way easier as a coach knowing that. But we don't have that. So let's turn that into a positive and turn it into competition ... let's establish our identity out of that competition."
This season is shaping up to be a milestone for the Warriors, with the coaching staff’s adaptive strategy central to the team’s ambitions. As training camp progresses, all eyes will be on how these lineup battles resolve and whether the new combinations can drive Golden State back into championship contention.