In a shocking turn of events, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has made a bold and unexpected decision regarding recently re-signed power forward Jonathan Kuminga just in time for the team’s 2025-26 regular season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. According to NBA TV’s Chris Haynes, Kerr has decided to elevate Kuminga to the starting lineup, a move that has raised eyebrows across the league.
In a corresponding surprise, Kerr has opted to shift the Warriors’ marquee free agency acquisition, 39-year-old former All-Star big man Al Horford, to a reserve role. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reports that Kuminga will take the power forward spot, while 6-foot-6, 10-time All-Defensive Teamer Draymond Green will serve as the team’s small-ball starting center. The starting five will be rounded out by 11-time All-NBA point guard Stephen Curry, shooting guard Brandin Podziemski, and six-time All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler.
This lineup pits Green against the Lakers’ new starting center, 7-footer Deandre Ayton, who is eight years younger and was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018. Ayton joined Los Angeles on a two-year, $16.2 million deal after a contract buyout with the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the Lakers’ splashiest offseason addition. Meanwhile, Lakers superstar LeBron James will miss the game due to a lingering sciatica injury on his right side, with a return expected next week at the earliest.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, now in his second year, will counter with a starting lineup featuring five-time All-NBA First Team point guard Luka Doncic, newly elevated shooting guard Gabe Vincent (6-foot-3), small forward Austin Reaves (6-foot-5), power forward Rui Hachimura, and Ayton at center. Both Vincent and Reaves are playing up a position from their natural roles, with Doncic, at 6-foot-6, likely to match up defensively against Podziemski for much of the game.
Kuminga’s path to this moment has been anything but smooth. The 23-year-old power forward endured a contentious restricted free agency this summer, with protracted negotiations that strained his relationship with the Warriors. Ultimately, he signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal—a relatively team-friendly contract that keeps him in Golden State for now. Kerr’s decision to start Kuminga could be an olive branch to mend tensions or, alternatively, a move to showcase his talents for potential trade partners.
At 6-foot-8, Kuminga is one of the Warriors’ most dynamic athletes, capable of explosive drives to the basket. However, his inconsistent shooting and occasional lapses in decision-making have frustrated Kerr in the past. Still, Kuminga remains one of the highest-upside young players on a Warriors roster that leans heavily on its aging core—Curry, Butler, Green, and Horford are all 35 or older. For Golden State to return to the NBA Finals next summer, Kuminga’s development will be critical.
Last season, Kuminga appeared in 47 games, starting just 10, and averaged 15.3 points on .454/.305/.668 shooting splits, along with 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. His athleticism and potential make him a tantalizing piece, but his role in this new-look starting lineup will be a true test of his growth.
Kerr’s decision to start Kuminga over Horford is a gamble that could set the tone for the Warriors’ season. Facing a revamped Lakers squad led by Doncic and Ayton, Golden State will need every ounce of Kuminga’s athleticism and energy. Whether this move proves to be a masterstroke or a head-scratcher will become clearer when the two teams tip off Tuesday night in Los Angeles.