Warriors to start Kuminga, move Green to bench

The Golden State Warriors are inserting Jonathan Kuminga into the starting lineup in place of Draymond Green.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr brought Green off the bench in the team's 107-90 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. It was Green's return to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury.

"We're trying to maximize Jonathan," Kerr told reporters postgame. "Playing him with (Andrew Wiggins). Playing (Kevin Looney) to start with that group means that Draymond doesn't have to guard the opposing center right from the get-go."

Green has been a regular in the Warriors starting lineup since the 2014-15 campaign but had no issue with the change, saying he's been one of Kuminga's "biggest fans" since the latter got to Golden State.

"I know a lot of people in this organization, including myself, think he (Kuminga) is next," he said. "So if he is next, at some point, we gotta see it."

He added: "I am a product of my vet willing to take a backseat for me. So you gotta give back what came to you."

Green will still close games for the Warriors at the center position, according to Kerr.

The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year finished with 10 points, two rebounds, and one assist in 26 minutes against Minnesota. Kuminga had 13 points, two rebounds, and a block through 29 minutes of action.

The Warriors will get another look at their new rotation when they square off against the Timberwolves again Sunday.