Entering the 2024-25 NBA season, the expectation was that the Golden State Warriors would go small and have Draymond Green be the regular starting center, and surround him with shooters. However, in the recent 111-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to keep their undefeated preseason alive, Golden State went big. The Warriors trotted out Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Wiggins and Kuminga played well off of each other, combining for 22 points. It was Wiggins’ first game of the preseason.

Steve Kerr has been tinkering with Golden State’s starting five all preseason long, and with plenty of depth and offensive weapons, he can trot out various lineups all season long. He seemed to like the athletic, dynamic pairing of Wiggins and Kuminga. “The key is JK and Wiggs running the floor,” Kerr said after the game. “It puts a lot of pressure on teams, so they set a good tone, the way they got downhill with or without the ball, they were on, so I really liked how both those guys played and the impact they can make with their athleticism and force.” Wiggins and Kuminga have a similar playstyle, and both thrive as slashers and run well in the open court. They are both capable defenders, although neither are in the running for an All-Defensive nod, so having Jackson-Davis in the paint behind them is a necessity.

“It feels good playing with JK,” said Andrew Wiggins. If Kerr opts for an oversized, powerful lineup, Wiggins and Kuminga will be favored over Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski, who are excellent shooters, but don’t bring as much size.