The Golden State Warriors will be looking to find some answers as training camp gets underway in Hawaii this week, including which of their two young forwards, Yaxel Lendeborg or Gui Santos, will join Draymond Green in the frontcourt come opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The battle for a starting role between Lendeborg and Santos may be the most fascinating aspect to watch throughout preseason, and Green has already lit the fuse by praising both teammates after a minicamp held by injured six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Yaxel Lendeborg-Gui Santos battle heats up after Draymond Green comments
Green walked away very impressed with Lendeborg after seeing him on a court for the first time in person, giving fans even more reason to be excited about the 11th overall pick after he won Summer League MVP and led the Warriors to the championship in Las Vegas.
But speaking on the latest episode of his podcast after the minicamp, Green also delivered a notable comment on Santos. The veteran forward didn't go into detail as he did with Lendeborg, but rather left a simple statement that "I think Gui Santos is going to have a big year."
It's worth noting that those words echo recent comments from head coach Steve Kerr who has "high hopes" for the Brazilian forward after a breakout period at the end of last season. Santos took advantage of injuries to Butler and others, taking a greater role in the Warrior offense and seeing his numbers spike as a result.
Green is the third piece to the wheel in all of this -- the veteran among a clear top three in the forward rotation until such time as Butler returns from injury. There's an argument to be made that it should be he who is the one coming off the bench to open the season, though that seems highly unlikely given his experience, leadership and chemistry with Stephen Curry.
Warriors have two starting roles up for grabs in training camp
With Green likely to fill one of the forward spots, Curry obviously slotting in at point guard, and Kristaps Porzingis at the center position, Golden State have two starting roles up for grabs as training camp and preseason gets underway.
Along with the Lendeborg-Santos battle for a starting forward role, there will also be a major watch on the shooting guard position and whether that will land with young guard Brandin Podziemski or the now fully healthy De'Anthony Melton.
We're a week away from getting our first major indication on these questions, with the Warriors and L.A. Clippers meeting for their first preseason game in Hawaii next Sunday.
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