Golden State Warriors lineup options are endless

The Golden State Warriors are finally starting to dabble in switching up their starting lineup, and with a solid bench, the options are endless for Steve Kerr.

After 16 games, the Golden State Warriors have (what seems to be permanent) switched up their starting lineup. Head coach Steve Kerr took out James Wiseman, the team’s No. 2 overall pick, and inserted former first-round pick, Kevon Looney.

It worked. Now, if we’re being honest, the jury still has to be out on if it worked.

Wiseman was benched after the Warriors lost to a top-five team in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz. They then took on a Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell-less Minnesota Timberwolves.

Considering those were the two games, it’s impossible to predict how much the Warriors may have been against Utah with Looney as a starter. What the switch does show is that Kerr is going to be comfortable making the tough yet correct decisions.

Benching a 19-year-old rookie can’t be easy as it could demoralize him. Wiseman, who has a bright NBA future, played well off the bench, and it may turn out that it’s better for him to be the leader of that unit.

Now, there are many other lineup changes both in the second unit and starting lineup that the Warriors may want to consider, and for Steve Kerr, the options are endless.

With the terrific guard play the Warriors have on their second unit, the next player that could be benched is Kelly Oubre Jr. Given his rebounding and energy, it’s unlikely, but this team isn’t going to sit Stephen Curry, Draymond Green or Andrew Wiggins at the start.

Both in the game and at the start, Oubre Jr. may thrive in different lineups.

He could be useful as the star of his own show, dominating the second unit with Wiseman while a more dependent player like Mychal Mulder, who is shooting over 45 percent from deep, steps in to aid the offensive spacing.

Even if it’s not Mulder, the Warriors have Damion Lee, who they seem to be very fond of, on their second unit. He’s been a better catch-and-shoot player than Oubre Jr., and he may be able to take that next step if inserted as a starter.

Even within the second unit, the Warriors have a plethora of options. Do they bring in Jordan Poole more often? What about Nico Mannion that has played decently off the bench? Even Brad Wanamaker may deserve more minutes alongside Curry.

Steve Kerr will have his hands full figuring out how to best deal with the array of talent and how he can best surround Curry with the players he has to win more than just two games in a row.