Kerr still hopes Butler-Green-Kuminga trio works

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remains hopeful about unlocking the potential of a frontcourt trio featuring Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga – even though the early results have been far from ideal.

As reported by Sam Gordon of The San Francisco Chronicle, the lineup has struggled significantly, posting a troubling minus-24.9 net rating across just 38 minutes of shared court time.

One key issue, Gordon notes, is that none of the three are reliable threats from beyond the arc, which limits Golden State’s offensive spacing and makes it easier for defenses to pack the paint.

Beyond the strategic challenges, the midseason trade that brought Butler to the Bay Area has also altered the rotation, particularly affecting Kuminga’s role.

Once a rising contributor with expanding minutes, Kuminga has seen his opportunities dwindle. Despite the shift, Kerr praised the young forward’s attitude and resilience.

“He’s handled things really well. He’s working. He’s staying ready. He’s playing hard when he’s out there,” Kerr said.

He then added context to the situation, explaining how the roster move forced a domino effect on player roles: “But the bottom line is when we traded for Jimmy, Draymond became our (power forward) and (center).”

In other words, the addition of Butler has effectively redefined the Warriors’ frontcourt dynamic – pushing Green into more interior duties and leaving Kuminga to adjust from the sidelines.

While Kerr hasn’t abandoned the idea of making the trio work, the clock is ticking to find chemistry as the postseason looms.