SAN FRANCISCO – The wily vet with four championship rings, or the 23-year-old with a new contract and sky-high potential.
Draymond Green, 35, has been liberated from playing center full-time and is a perfect fit next to Al Horford at his natural power forward spot.
But Jonathan Kuminga just signed a $46.5 million contract and is someone the Warriors will likely want to showcase before January’s trade deadline.
“I’ve been very pleased with just the approach, the effort,” said coach Steve Kerr, who has asked Kuminga to embrace a defense-first role.
Green is likely to see the majority of minutes, but Kuminga will get plenty of playing time.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler III is locked in at the small forward spot, and the Warriors have a few other, younger options on the wings for depth.
With its mixture of youth and playoff experience, forward figures to be Golden State’s most intriguing position in a 2025-26 season that will see the Warriors seek their fifth title of the Steph Curry era.
Draymond Green, 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, age 35
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green passes the ball during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
2024-25 statistics: 68 games, 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.1 steals, 42.4 FG%, 32.5 3FG%
Breakdown: Still one of the best defenders in the league – and of all time – entering his 14th season in the NBA. … Played primarily center last season and finished third in defensive player of the year voting, but Kerr hopes he can play more power forward. Should still see plenty of time at center. … Made the all-defense team for a franchise-record eighth time last season. … Remains a shaky scorer, but also one of the finest playmakers in the league and still the best at passing out of the short roll. … Has not mellowed with age, racking up 13 technical fouls and three flagrant fouls in the regular season, and then five techs in 12 playoff games.
Jimmy Butler, 6-7, 230 pounds, age 36
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
2024-25 statistics: 55 games, 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 50.4 FG%, 30.8 3FG%
Breakdown: His midseason arrival completely turned around the Warriors’ season, as they went 23-7 over the last 30 games of the season. … Averaged 7.7 free throw attempts per game, giving Golden State a credible non-Curry threat when driving to the rim. … Though an elite defender on the wings, his offensive position is more of a traditional on-ball playmaker, and put up two triple-doubles last season. … Scored in double figures 25 times. … Known for his postseason heroics, Playoff Jimmy had an injury-riddled postseason, with him missing time against Houston. … A big question this season will be whether he can play with Kuminga, since neither is a deadeye shooter. Butler shot just 30.8% from distance. … Injuries remain a constant theme. Has not played 70 games in any season since 2016-17.
Jonathan Kuminga, 6-7, 225 pounds, age 23
Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (1) lays up a shot against Portland Trail Blazers’ Donovan Clingan (23) in the second quarter of an NBA preseason game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
2024-25 statistics: 47 games, 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 45.4 FG%, 30.5 3FG%
Breakdown: The star of the summer arrived in training camp with a new contract after lengthy – and public – negotiations with the front office and other teams. Made it known he wants to be a focal piece of the offense. … A gifted scorer and driver who is one of the NBA’s top athletes, and flashes the ability to be a mid-range scorer. … Was playing his best basketball when a severe ankle injury cost him the next 31 games. Was unable to re-establish himself in the rotation after the Butler trade, but averaged 24.5 points in four games after Curry was lost for the Timberwolves series. … Known as an isolation scorer, he has shown more of a willingness to play-make this preseason, dishing out six assists at the Lakers. … Not the best rebounder. … Despite new contract, might not be long for the Bay Area. His contract allows him to be traded after Jan. 15.
Gary Payton II, 6-2, 195 pounds, age 32
Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II (0) laughs after fixing his headband during NBA Media Day at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. Payton II was told he was wearing his headband inside out causing confusion about reshooting his portrait. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
2024-25 statistics: 62 games, 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 57.4 FG%, 32.6 3FG%
Breakdown: The 32-year-old is back for his fifth season in the Bay Area. … Still a willing and energetic defender, even if he is not able to fly through the air quite like he could a few years ago. … Despite being point guard-sized, can defend 1-through-4 and is still an effective finisher around the rim as a cutter. … At this point in his career, minutes might be dependent on matchups and situation. … Just enough of a shooter to be a credible threat in catch-and-shoot situations.
Gui Santos, 6-7, 218 pounds, age 23
Golden State Warriors’ Gui Santos (15) makes a shot against the Charlotte Hornets’ Wendell Moore Jr. (14) in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
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2024-25 statistics: 56 games, 4.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 45.8 FG%, 33.0 3FG%
Breakdown: The energetic Brazilian forward became a regular part of the rotation during his second year in the Bay Area. … Always seemed to come down with an offensive rebound or two during his stints off the bench, grabbing 1.3 in just 13 minutes a night. … Will probably play a similar role in 2025-26. … Offense remains a work in progress, consisting of standstill 3-pointers, cuts and putbacks. … A willing passer.
Other options: Golden State’s top draft pick, Alex Toohey (No. 52 overall), has missed the first four preseason games with tendonitis in his right knee. The Australian is a capable ballhandler and crafty finisher, but Summer League showed that he likely needs to spend time in Santa Cruz. … Jackson Rowe played in six NBA games and was otherwise a do-it-all forward in the G League. The 28-year-old was one of the Warriors’ top players in Summer League. … Taevion Kinsey has played two seasons for Utah’s G League team after graduating from Marshall as the Sun Belt Conference player of the year.
